A17698:2589
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.
But if we be faithless, it is a just reward for our quenching of the light that should have shone into us, & of our turning of our backs unto God. And when we will not be ruled by him, then discern we no more between white and black, but men seem unto us to be wolves, and all things are out of order, & that justly. Therefore whereas here is mention made of such as mishap things by their enchantments: Let us note that the law is not superfluous. For sith the case standeth so, it is to be concluded that such things may befall, as whereof we have examples.
But if we be faithles, it is a iust reward for our quenching of ye light yt should haue shone into vs, & of our turning of our backes vnto God. And when we wil not bee ruled by him, then discern we no more between white and black, but men seeme vnto vs to bee wolues, and al things are out of order, & that iustly. Therefore whereas here is mention made of such as mishape things by their inchantments: Let vs note yt the law is not superfluous. For sith ye case standeth so, it is to be cōcluded yt such things may befall, as whereof we haue examples.
But yet for all that, it is abominable before God: and so likewise are Soothsayers. It is a question whether it be possible for man to foretell of things, for it is Gods office to foreknow things to come: and how then may it belong to the devil? Sure it is (as saith the prophet Isaiah) that idols can foresee nothing.1 And as for Satan, he must always needs be the father of lies, & deceive all such as ask counsel of him. Yet notwithstanding God doth now & then suffer satan to tell of things to come, and that is for the more hardening of such as will not obey the truth,2 (as we have seen by example in the thirteenth chapter) & it hath been treated of partly already. Yet notwithstanding it is true also, that soothsayers do lie most commonly, and by that means our Lord deludeth them that seek counsel of satan after the fashion. And beside let us not think it strange, though enchanters, soothsayers, & such other like do now & then tell of things to come: for it is gods just sufferance, to the intent they should be the deeplier plunged in error. Forasmuch as they would needs be willingly deceived he letteth them be so, that they may perish. Thus ye see why the law was made concerning