A17698:2634
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.
Now in the end it is said, that when a false prophet is found out by trial, then it shall appear that he spake upon presumption, and therefore be not afraid of him. Here are two sayings which import two good and profitable warnings. The one is, that he which advanceth himself beyond measure, speaketh proudly. For is there a more devilish pride, than for a mortal man to thrust forth him self as if he were an instrument of Gods spirit, as though he were an Angel from heaven, when in very §40deed he is but a liar, and hath nothing but wind in him? If I take upon me another man• name, & say, such a one hath given me commission: is it not too lewd a falsehood? The party to whom I have done the wrong may come and say, Ah thou liar, how durst thou abuse my name? Such dealing (I say) would be counted great injury. Then if a mortal man advance himself in the name of God, (as for example, if I step up into the pulpit & require audience in the name of God,§50 & yet notwithstanding do fall to seducing of the people:) It is a pride which passeth all others, as I said afore. For it is not simple lying, it is not single deceit, it is not a simple falsifying of this or that: but a turning of Gods trueth into untruth, & a wrapping of God in our falsehoods, & an unhallowing of his holy & sacred name. Therefore let us mark well, how it is not for naught that Moses saith that the false Prophets shall be condemned, yea even because of their proud & presumptuous dealing, and §60for their untollerable rashness. And hereby as many as have the charge to bear abroad Gods word are warned to walk warily & circumspectly, & to take heed that in their preaching of the word, they intermingle nothing of their own: but that they have a special care, that all their sayings be referred to the true & pure expounding of that which is written, & that they do nothing else but apply Gods word to the use of the people: As for example, I stand not here to make new Laws, nor to forge new articles of faith. What then? Our Lord hath uttered his whole will unto us in the holy scripture,1 & it is not lawful to ad any thing there to. What am I to do them? wherefore do we preach yea & that continually day by day? To the end y• the scripture should be well understood, that it should be applied to our use, & that men might know how to benefit themselves thereby;