A17698:3993
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.
There is full certainty of knowledge, if we become good scholars to God, and resist him not as robbers. And here a man may see the froward unthankfulness of §20the Papists, which would make men believe, that they should not venture to read the holy scripture, nor once be so hardy as to look into it, because it is so high and so deep a thing, that men shall be forthwith carried away into many errors and many fancies. It is very true that men do abuse the trueth of God: and we our selves do see, how they turn the trueth into lies: But yet to impute the same unto Gods word; it were a devilish blasphemy. And therefore let us learn §30that we must settle our selves wholly upon that which is showed unto us here. For God himself doth assure us that in his word we shall find the right understanding of all things that are expedient for our salvation. Think we that our good God will deceive us? Let us therefore abhor the excuse which the Papists do hold, of purpose to dwell, to nestle, yea and altogether to rot in their ignorance, But contrariwise, let us trust and wholly rest upon this promise, knowing §40that God doth us an inestimable good turn, whensoever it pleaseth him to set his word before our eyes; and to deliver it to be preached in our ears. Now then, whensoever God giveth us his knowledge, let us understand that he will not have such a treasure to be lost or to perish: but that we should receive it, and turn it to our commodity. But herewithal we have to mark also, that until God have spoken and taught us in his school, we have neither learning not wit,§50 but are as stray cattle, and at a word utterly forlorn. It is not therefore without cause that Moses saith: The commandment which I give thee, is not hidden from thee, nor far off, so as thou mightest say: Who shall go up to heaven? Who shall pass over the Sea? or who shall go down into the deep? Hereby he giveth us to understand that if God do pluck back his word, so as we know not what he requireth of us, nor have any testimony of his will: then may we §60well seek about like people in perplexity, crying alas, what shall we do? Who is he that shall go up above the clouds; who is he that shall go down into the deep? Who is he that shall pass the Sea? To what end? There is no other instruction at all, whereby God giveth us any certain, and infallible direction.