A17698:2564
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.
As if he should say, Must I be laid in the balance against men, that when I have commanded them to demean themselves thus or thus, my authority should be diminished and doubted of, & it might come in question whether my word ought to take place or no? Were it not a turning of all upside down? Can there be any greater or uglier confusion, than to compare the creature with me? What are men? There is nothing in them but blindness & beastliness. Yea & when they think themselves wisest; then are they the most fools: & their advancing of themselves against me is stark madness: & yet must my word be defaced for their pleasure? Then let us mark well, that it is not for us to follow mens customs; nor to esteem the more of things for that they have had their free scope, when God turneth us from them & saith, Ye shall not do so. For why? It is good reason that we should separate our selves from those whom God hath not enlightened. It is no marvel though men trip & stumble & go astray ⟨p. 664⟩over all the fields like silly beasts. For it is said that in this world we be as in the dark;1 & therewithal it is said also, that there is nothing but stark ignorance in us, and that we comprehend not the things that concern God. Therefore when we want Gods word, we be as in an irksome dungeon. And so forasmuch as God granteth not the grace and privilege to all men, to have the lamp of his word & truth lighted up unto them to guide them withal: we ought not to wonder though we see them §10go astray, but rather to make our benefit of the good that God offereth unto us, and to hold us altogether to his word when it is given unto us.
As if he should say, Must I be laid in ye balance against men, yt when I haue cōmanded them to demeane thēselues thus or thus, my authoritie should bee diminished and doubted of, & it might come in question whether my word ought to take place or no? Were it not a turning of all vpside downe? Can there be any greater or ouglier confusion, than to compare the creature wt me? What are men? There is nothing in them but blindnes & beastlines. Yea & when they thinke thēselues wisest; then are they ye most fooles: & their aduancing of thēselues against me is starke madnes: & yet must my word be defaced for their pleasure? Then let vs marke well, yt it is not for vs to followe mens customes; nor to esteeme ye more of things for yt they haue had their free scope, when God turneth vs from them & saith, Yee shal not doe so. For why? It is good reason yt we should separate our selues frō those whom God hath not inlightened. It is no maruel though men trip & stumble & go astray