A17698:3937
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.
For as for the things which our Lord hath revealed unto us by his word, it is good reason that they should be known, and that we should give ear to them, and be diligent to apply our endeavour to the same. If we pass our bounds, by being more inquisitive than is §20lawful for us, we enter into a maze. Thus see we as now what Moses meant to say in this place, namely that the people should not foade their own ignorance, as men are wont to do. My friends (saith he) be well advised; for the secret things belong to our God, look what he would not have known, that hath he reserved to himself. But as for the things that are revealed; he hath imparted them to us, & to our children for ever, to the end that we §30should do the things that are written in this book. Know ye (saith he) that the things which are contained in his law, are profitable for the well ruling of our lives. And agreeably hereunto also Saint Paul saith: that all the scripture is profitable to teach,1 to exhort, to reprove & to make the man of God perfect to all good works. Sith the case standeth so, let us apply the exhortation of Moses to our own use. And first of all let us mark well, that none be §40exempted for their ignorance, that is to say, that none shall have any excuse which have disdained to hear God when he spake unto them. And why? If they say, these be secret matters; I answer, and hath not God published them? Yes, but they be above our capacity: let us crave the spirit of understanding, and it shall be given unto us. But how soever it be, let us not say, I am no clerk, I have not been at school; for behold, the law is set forth to all folk §50both little and great; God would have us all to be instructed therein. Therefore they be apparent matters, which must be known to us and to our children. And wherefore? Because it is for our profit. We shall there find wherewith to be edified, and we know that God would have our life to be ruled thereby. Let us therefore be diligent, in such sort as we presume not to pass our bounds, when we be desirous to be taught in the school of §60God. Thus much for one point.