A17698:281
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 it followeth, That Moses spake unto the people, & that the people would not follow his advise, but were disobedient to the mouth of God. This manner of speech hath bin expounded already heretofore. But here we see yet more clearly, the proof of that which hath bin said afore: it is to wit, that God is despised not only when he speaketh from heaven, but also when folk make none account of his word that is preached by men. It is said expressly That the people were disobedient to the mouth of God. And how? It is not said that God appeared in visible shape, or that there was any voice heard from heaven: but it was Moses y• spake: it is a man y• saith that the people resisted the mouth ⟨p. 56⟩of God. Now then we see that God will have his word received with like humility when he sendeth men to declare his commandment, as if he him self were among them. The doctrine that is set forth in the name of God, ought to be of as much authority [in the mouth of a man,] as if all the Angels of heaven came down to us, or as if God showed his Majesty presently before our eyes: yea & it is the thing wherein he will try the obedience of our faith. True it is that we ought to §10use good discretion when men speak. For if we should receive all that is put to us: there should be no difference between the liars and false prophets that seduce our souls, & the true ministers of God. But if we have sure warrant that the thing which is brought us, proceedeth of God: (as if it should be showed us by the holy scripture, that men should not invent any thing of their own heads, but hold themselves to the pure simplicity of the Law & the Gospel:) it is certain that whosoever §20maketh any resistance in that case, doeth not make war against a creature, but manifestly withstand God, who will be heard when he speaketh so by men, and serveth his turn by them as by his instruments. Therefore let us bear well in mind this order of Moses saying, which is, that he himself is the speaker, & yet notwithstanding, that the people in disobeying him disobeyed God. For why? Moses had not forged any thing of his own brain; but showed unto them how it was God that §30had sent him. And therefore it is no strange case that God should find himself grieved, & that his Majesty should be offended, & take the outrage to be done as to himself, when the message that he had sent by Moses was not received.