A17698:3946
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.
Now if this were spoken in the time of §40the law, much more reason is it, that it should be verified at this day. For we know that Jesus Christ hath declared himself unto us more familiarly by his Gospel. Therefore let us not be afraid, that things be too obscure for us. For behold our God allureth us to profit in his school, and saith that it belongeth to us and to our children, and that the things which he hath revealed unto us, are directed unto us, to the intent we should advise ourselves §50to walk according to his will. This is a thing that ought to encourage us to seek God, so far forth as is lawful for us, according to the measure that he appointeth. And herein we see what the malice of the Pope and of all his is in shutting out all the world from the word of God: like as at this day they do yet still exercise the same tyranny, maintaining that the holy Scripture was made for none but Monks, Friars, and Clergy men▪ so seemeth it §60to them. And yet have they no care thereof. For they have a divinity by themselves, which is as it were but a brawling of beggars. As for holy Scripture they leave it at their heels. Albeit tha• they despise it, yet they take out some word, as it were by pieces and gobbets, and in the mean while suffer not the people to enter into the kingdom of GOD. They hold the key to keep the gate fast shut, and like as they list not to enter themselves;1 so would they have all others to be shut out. They say it is a dangerous matter to deal with holy Scripture, that it is a nose of wax, that men may turn it which way they list, and that there be so high secretes therein, as men may thereby enter into a bottomless pit. In deed they have made a plain mockery of Gods word; for they have falsified it in such wise, as men can scarcely know the meaning thereof. If we should hearken unto them, it is but a hodge podge, yet nevertheless we see that it is the certain and infallible trueth of GOD.
Nowe if this were spoken in the time of §40the lawe, much more reason is it, that it shoulde bee verified at this daie. For wee know that Iesus Christ hath declared himselfe vnto vs more familiarlie by his Gospell. Therefore let vs not be afraide, that things be too obseure for vs. For beholde our God allureth vs to profit in his schoole, and saith that it belongeth to vs and to our children, and that the things which hee hath reuealed vnto vs, are directed vnto vs, to the intent we should aduise ourselues