A17698:2561
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The second point is, that we must not pass what the world doth, or how other men behave themselves. For God will have us for all that,§10 to frame our selves according to his word. And although we see nothing but rebellion here beneath: yet must we do him the honour to submit our selves to him. For it is not enough for us to worship him Ceremonially: the chief point is that his word do so reign, as it be a bridle to hold us back, and that our life be framed altogether thereafter. And although this was so straitly commanded: yet we see how the clean contrary came to pass. Wherein we see a §20fair mirror of mans wickedness and unthankfulness. For albeit that God do show him the right way; yet doth he go astray still. Ye see how the Jews had warning enough that they should not corrupt themselves with the abominations of the heathen; God showed them wherewith they ought to have contented themselves and whereon to have stayed; namely that they ought to have learned at his own mouth: he gave them his law, and he raised them up prophets: and yet for §30all that they ceased not to go foully astray, & to have itching ears, and to be inquisitive of this & that. And that was the cause why sorceries and enchantments, Conjurations of the dead, and such other like things reigned among them: insomuch that in the time of the prophet Isaiah, we see there were very few folk that followed the law of God.1 Lo here am I, (saith the prophet,) and those whom God hath given unto me. What? had he any great company with him? No. But contrariwise §40he saith, that they were hated, and that they were pointed at with mens fingers, as if they had bin monsters against nature. And those that did so, would needs be counted wiser than all other men, like as the Papists upbraid us nowadays, that we will needs make a new world, & require a reformation alone by our selves, by reason whereof we be schismatics: & even so was it in the time of the prophet Isaiah, as he declareth in his eight chapter. Yet notwithstanding he forbeareth not to utter §50this sentence, & to confirm the same, saying: If any man go about to turn you away to familiars, and to conjuring of the dead, hold you your selves to the things that your God hath delivered you. Ought not he to reign both over the quick and dead, and to be obeyed of all? Yes: and therefore hold you to his law and to his testimonies.