A17698:3457
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.
Moses in this place continueth the matter which was handled yesterday, to wit, in showing unto the Jews for what end GOD had chosen them to be his people and his flock. It was not that §30they should live as the Gentiles, which were in ignorance; but that seeing they had the light of life and salvation, they should follow it. For there is no reason, that seeing GOD hath adopted us for his children, we should be as brute beasts, every man wandering after the fantasies and lusts of his own heart: we must order our selves under the direction of him which taketh and admitteth us for his own. It is therefore said in this place,§40 This day the Lord thy GOD commandeth thee to keep all his statutes, and his commandments: to do them, and to observe them, yea, and that with all thy heart, and wish all thy soul. This word To day, betokeneth, that when we are taught in the word of GOD, we are much more straiter bound, than if he had only created us and placed us in this world, and in the mean time left us to walk after our own liking. It is true in deed, that the unbelieving sort shall §50not be excused, although GOD never vouchsafed to make them partakers of his word. Although they be as poor blind wretches in darkness, yet shall they not fail to be condemned in their ignorance. He that hath sinned without the Law,1 shall perish (sayeth Saint Paul.) And in deed [without the Law] there is not that man which hath not some witness engraved in his own heart, that there is but one GOD whom we ought to serve,§60 and whom we ought to honour. They which know this by nature, deserve sufficiently to be condemned: but when GOD cometh near unto us, and vouchsafeth to use the office of a teacher to declare unto us his will, there is the less excuse for us. Then must double condemnation needs fall upon all them which receive not the yoke of GOD, when it pleaseth him to guide them, and to show them that he will not leave them to go at random, as the wretched and unbelieving Gentiles. Ye see then what Moses meant by this word, To day the Lord thy GOD commandeth thee. And that is the cause why this word also is put in the 95. Psalm.2 To day if ye hear the voice of the Lord. And the Apostle hath well weighed the same, in the Epistle to the Hebrews: