A17698:3984
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.
they can well enough say that the things which are spoken are true, like the Ass which can well enough nod with his ears. So it costeth them nothing to say, It is all good, I like well of it: but yet they be not a whit touched at their hearts, nay rather, we see they despise all that is told them; and they suppose that God is beholding unto them, when they have not openly spoken against him, nor blasphemed his doctrine. But Moses requireth an other manner of hearing far differing from this: namely The performing of the things which are contained in the law. It is said in an other place,1 that Jesus Christ avoweth them to be blessed which hear the word of GOD and keep it. And there our Lord Jesus Christ speaketh the more grossly, to the intent we might be the better informed: for we forget things, and we think that if we confess the Law to be good, righteous, and holy, we be then discharged: But our Lord saith, that we must first hear and then keep. And Moses joineth both together, as in deed, to hear and to keep, are things which ought never to go a sunder. Yea, but yet therewithal he giveth men a perfect rule, so they yield to be taught of him; and they shall not need, (as we have seen here before) to turn either to the right hand or to the left.2 Therefore let us mark that the doctrine of the law doth teach us what is good, and that thereby GOD meaneth to inform us plainly of his will, that we may be pliable to be taught, and submit our selves obediently unto him. They then which invent one thing or other of their own brain, and would do as they list: do show that they rather serve their own affections, than GOD. Therefore to order our life well, we have none other rule but that which is given us from above, nor any other than the very same which is contained in the Law of God. In deed men do evermore confess that nothing ought to be done which is not agreeable unto Gods will: but yet for all that, they forge and devise still some new invention or other. And that is because they think that God hath not in his Law declared unto us, all that he requireth of us, and that he would have us to stay altogether upon that. And therefore Moses sendeth us back to that which is set down here:
they can wel ynough say that the thinges which are spoken are true, like the Asse which can well ynough nodde with his eares. So it costeth them nothing to say, It is all good, I like well of it: but yet they bee not a whit touched at their heartes, nay rather, wee see they despise all that is tolde them; and they suppose that God is beholding vnto them, when they haue not openly spoken against him, nor blasphemed his doctrine. But Moses requireth an other manner of hearing farre differing from this: namely The performing of the thinges which are conteined in the lawe. It is sayd in an other place,