A17698:2632
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 sort of false Prophets which Moses hath set down here, is of those which speak in the name of Idols; which abuse crept in at length even among the Jews. For after that things were once grown out of kind; All took upon them to be Soothsayers and Prophets: but that was altogether in the name of idols, according to the cities wherein they dwelt. Wheresoever there was a Temple: there was a Jew that said, we have the foreknowledge of things to come, even by birth: and yet in the mean while they sold their Prophesies, as these deceivers do which trot up and down the world, and say they can tell folks their fortunes. And it was a common practise of all the Jews, as appeareth even by the profane histories, when they were once become idolaters. Surely it is a great unshamefastnesse of them, to make such boast of the gift of Prophecy. And why so? They have that gift because they be the linage of Abraham, because they be circumcised, because they be Gods own people and heritage, and because they have the Law, and look for their promised redeemer: and yet for all this, they give over themselves to such abominations, that they ⟨p. 683⟩will needs borrow the means of idolaters. And we see in manner the like altogether nowadays in the Popedom: For the Priests and Monks boast themselves to have the office of praying for the whole Church: and yet in the mean while they will sing a Mass of our Lady, and a Mass of such a Saint & such a Saint: and so idols are intermingled with the majesty of the living God. For although the Saints as in respect of them selves, be no idols: yet do they make them so,§10 which do so abuse their names. And therefore let us learn to keep our selves from both these sorts of falsehoods, by hearing no man speak but in the name of God. For we know there is nothing but vanity in mans mind, and that we shall be deceived if we give our selves to any mortal creature: and therefore only God is to be heard. Again, when Gods name is pretended, let us try whether it be in trueth or no: we have his word, we cannot lye: and he will give §20us the understanding thereof, if we be lowly and meek. And if we submit our selves wholly unto him; it is certain that he will never suffer us to be deceived. Well may we be tempted, as we have seen in the thirteenth Chapter, that God will try us whether we love him or no.