A17698:3496
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.
And as touching that which is added concerning the great stones, whereon God commanded his law to be written; according unto that which we have §30already touched; let us note, that God meant to hold his people under his obedience by all the means he might. For men by reason of their infirmity, had need to be held in awe: and to be called back unto God, to the intent they swerve not aside from him. I have already brought a comparison from ȳe arms of Princes; in steed whereof God would have his law to be written. And why? For his laws are his true arms: & his word the lively image wherein we ought to behold him. And it is the cause §40why he saith, ye shall come & present yourselves before my face, when they presented themselves before the ark, wherein the law was enclosed. For God would not have any other shape whereby to be represented unto men, than only the continual instruction of his word, according unto that which we have already seen in the fourth chap. where it is said,1 remember that you saw not the shape of man, or of any creature whatsoever, but you heard the voice of your God. Take heed therefore §50how ye counterfeit any thing in this behalf. Now forasmuch as we have the understanding hereof, let us note that when our Lord vouchsafeth to have his word preached in any place, and lodgeth us quietly as it were with his own hand; it is to the intent we should do him double homage. As many as live in the world & are fed and sustained by God, ought therefore to confess that he is worthy to have all sovereignty over them. But seeing we have such a special privilege of God, as to be separated §60from the rest of the world, & to have his word preached unto us, & to have liberty to call upon his name purely: ought we not to enforce ourselves to do him double homage for it? Surely this ought now adays to be throughly considered of. For how great favour doth God show us, in that we may use his sacraments with all liberty, and have our ears every day filled with the doctrine of salvation; so as he ceaseth not to call us unto himself? We see on the other side many wretched people which are held in bondage under the tyranny of the Pope, & dare not once open their mouth or make the least countenance of worshipping God purely, they have neither churches to resort unto, nor any means to be taught: the world sees this.