A17698:2585
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.
Moreover, whereas he speaketh of Divination by the flight of birds: It was too common a vice among the heathen, as I said afore. When they were to take any thing in hand, they went gassing abroad in the air, and they might not conclude upon any thing, till they had seen some bird flying. And there were three o• four of them, or if they came from the East or the North, they took them by & by for signs: and that was a cursed kind of divination. For why? we must hold it for a general rule, that we mar all when we draw Gods creatures to any other use than he hath ordained them unto. Let us mark (say I) after what manner God will have his creatures to be used. For as soon as we turn from that point, such disguising of his works is a cursed corruption of them. God hath not created the birds to speak unto us by their flying from one place to another, nor to the end that we should make account whether there be four or five of them, or take their flying out of this coast or that coast to be a token of evil luck. These are stark witcheries, forged by men out of their own fond curiosity, and blown into their ears by Satan. And therefore let us not marvel though our Lord have forbidden us such things: for as soon as we happen to be imbrued with such superstitions and follies, we must needs be turned away from Gods trueth. Yea and there followeth just punishment upon such curious persons, so as they be ever doubtful & in perplexity.
Moreouer, whereas he speaketh of Diuinatiō by the flight of birdes: It was too common a vice among the heathen, as I saide afore. When they were to take anie thing in hand, they went gasing abroad in the aire, and they might not conclude vppon any thing, till they had seene some birde flying. And there were three o• foure of them, or if they came frō the East or the North, they tooke them by & by for signes: and that was a cursed kinde of diuination. For why? we must holde it for a generall rule, that wee marre all when wee drawe Gods creatures to anie other vse than he hath ordeyned them vnto. Let vs marke (say I) after what maner God will haue his creatures to be vsed. For as soone as we turne from that point, such disguising of his workes is a cursed corruption of them. God hath not created the birdes to speake vnto vs by their flying from one place to another, nor to the end that we shoulde make account whether there be foure or fiue of them, or take their flying out of this coast or that coast to be a token of euil luck. These are starke witcheries, forged by men out of their owne fonde curiositie, and blowen into their eares by Satan. And therefore let vs not maruell though our Lord haue forbidden vs such thinges: for as soone as wee happen to bee imbrewed wt such superstitions and follies, we must needes bee turned away from Gods trueth. Yea and there followeth iust punishment vpon such curious persons, so as they bee euer doubtful & in perplexitie.