A17698:3994
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.
When we be thus destitute, we be as lost people, having neither way nor path to lead us, we can discern nothing. Howe much soever men do attribute to their own wisdom, supposing themselves discreet enough to rule themselves all their life long: yet are they but wretched beasts, until God have showed them his will. Thus much for one point.
When we bee thus destitute, wee bee as lost people, hauing neither way nor path to leade vs, we can discerne nothing. Howe much soeuer men doe attribute to their owne wisedome, supposing themselues discreete enough to rule themselues all their lyfe long: yet are they but wretched beastes, vntill God haue shewed them his will. Thus much for one poynt.
Now it is farther to be understood, that if GOD come not first to us, we have no mean to come at him. Who is he that can give us wings to mount up to heaven? Or how shall we be able to pass over the deep? Although we had the knowledge of all secrets of nature: well might we travel all the world from place to place, and well might we mount aloft unto the very skies: and yet in the mean while we should want the chiefest thing of all, which is to understand the trueth of God; for that surmounteth all the wit of man. Let us learn therefore, that God in his infinite goodness, perceiving that we have no mean to approach unto him: giveth us an easy access thither. Yea and he cometh down unto us, to fashion himself to our rudeness and infirmity. We see how he doth (as ye would say) stammer with us: for he speaketh not in such loftiness, as might well seem agreeable to his infinite glory & majesty; but the phrase of holy scripture is gross and rude; by the which God speaketh to us in such plain manner, as there remaineth no excuse for us, if we understand him not plainly. Seeing it is so, let us use this marvellous goodness which God hath bestowed on us, and let us hold us to the same: and therewithal let us also acknowledge our own ignorance, that we may humble our selves: for the very cause why so few folk do profit in the holy scripture; is their own overweening, in that they be forepossessed with an imagination of their own wisdom and sharpness of wit: and so being drunken with their own conceit, they always despise the word of GOD. Let us therefore humble ourselves, for we know that God nameth himself the teacher of the lowly and of little ones,