A17698:3890
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.
We have a good and a profitable lesson to gather out of this text, to wit, that the more we know superstition and Idolatry, so §10much the more must we eschew the same. And even so it is of all other things that are repugnant to the will of GOD, namely, that we may be seduced by them by the sudden beholding of them, for want of knowing them aforehand: for we have not the discretion to keep ourselves from them; but are surprised for want of foresight, by reason whereof we perish, and Satan doth forthwith trap us in his gins and snares. Let us therefore mark, that §20when we once know the corruptions that be contrary to the service of GOD, and to the doctrine that is contained in his word, we must take so much the surer hold, that we be not any whit moved, but go on forward steadfastly, following the way whereunto GOD hath called us. As for example; If we have once known the wretchedness that is among the Papists, wherein we ourselves also have been plunged in time past, or if we have seen §30the mockeries of GOD, which are there used, and the blasphemies, and all the rest of the trash which the Papists call the service of GOD: we can not but perceive that they be the very inventions of the devil, to turn us away from the obedience of our GOD, to darken his majesty, to cause him to be mocked, and to blind the wretched world. We have been sufficiently warned thereof, yea and we have had the experience thereof. Now if any of us do §40hence forth turn away, and yield himself again to such abominations, is he not so much the more unfaithful towards GOD? See you not how his wickedness is so much the greater, seeing he doth it not through ignorance, not as a thing that is strange unto him, but as one that is altogether sopped in it? Let us therefore understand that when GOD hath once made us to perceive the filthiness and abominations which are among the Idolaters,§50 the same ought to settle us the better, to obey him and to persevere in his holy calling. And I have told you how it is after the same manner in other vices. When GOD showeth us any shamefulness, as to be given over to whoredom, or giveth us examples of such as are dissolutely given to swearing, drunkenness, or such like things, and that these things be so villainous that they make us ashamed: