A17698:2590
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 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 ⟨p. 670⟩such as divine of things to come. Also he speaketh of Sorcerers: And this sort containeth many things: For what a sin is it, that men should forsake God, and give themselves over to Satan? Must they not needs fall into horrible confusion? Yes: For after Satan hath once possessed us and stopped our eyes, and that God hath withdrawn his light from us, so as we be destitute of his holy spirit, and void of all reason: then follow infinite abuses without end or §10measure. And thereof come sorceries. Many incredible things are reported of Sorcerers. And truly when we hear them spoken of, we ought not only to mislike of them, but also be sorrowful in our hearts, yea & the very hairs of our heads ought to stand up thereat. But yet therewithal we must consider that they be revengements of God cast upon such as have forsaken him. And that the same may be a cause to hold us in awe and fear, let us learn not to §20