A17698:3933
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.
What? Have you authority for all these things, that they be pleasing to God, and that he alloweth them? O no sir, but our intent is good. Yea, but that is not enough to bind God: for he must be served according to his own will: and he will none of all those things. To be short, examine all that the Idolaters do, and ye shall find that they be ravished and puffed up with a wavering opinion. Thereupon they sooth themselves exceedingly: but yet are they never assured of their ⟨p. 1043⟩case. Therefore it is not without cause that Moses reproveth the Jews, for following the gods which they knew not. And indeed how shall a man know that which is not: for there is no knowledge, but the truth: and there is nothing but lies in all that men do devise, without the word of God.
What? Haue you authoritie for all these thinges, that they be pleasing to God, and that hee alloweth them? O no sir, but our intent is good. Yea, but that is not enough to binde God: for hee must bee serued according to his owne will: and hee will none of all those things. To bee short, examine all that the Idolaters doe, and yee shall finde that they be rauished and puffed vp with a wauering opinion. Thereupon they sooth themselues exceedingly: but yet are they neuer assured of their ⟨p. 1043⟩case. Therefore it is not without cause that Moses reprooueth the Iewes, for following the gods which they knew not. And indeede howe shall a man knowe that which is not: for there is no knowledge, but the truth: and there is nothing but lies in all that men doe deuise, without the worde of God.
Again he saith yet further that the Idols whom they served, had done them no good. Truly the wretched misbelievers do bear them §10selves in hand, that the Idols whom they serve, have done them much good: as we see the Papists do, saying: Lo, we find it good to go to stitch a Saint, for there is such a miracle as showeth that this devotion is not unprofitable: after which manner we see the Idolaters to have done at all times. When we served the Queen of heaven (say they in Jeremiah) we had our fill of meat and drink,