A17698:4017
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 our eyes be blindfolded, if we be dulheads, if we will not understand the things which §40have bin showed unto us, is it not a kind of turning of all things upside down which God hath established both beneath and above? Yes surely. Ye see then how it is an utter confounding and overthrowing of all order, when men worship not their God, nor submit themselves unto him. It is not therefore without cause that Moses allegeth this reason, when he meant to show unto the Jews, that it was not for them to argue any more as touching that doctrine, seeing that the end §50whereto it tended was that God should be honoured and have his right. But this word love importeth yet more. For it ought to touch men more lively, than if he had spoken simply of fear & subjection. Indeed Moses addeth by and by that we must obey our God, and that we must keep his statutes & his decrees. God then doth justly require of us a service, & we ought not to deny it him: but yet he beginneth at love, to the intent to draw us unto him after a loving manner,§60 and not by force as if we would say, well it is enough for us to serve our God: but yet let us go to it with grinding our teeth, because no man can exempt himself from that necessity. But Moses showeth that the doctrine of the law ought not only to hold us in awe, and to bring all our senses and affections in captivity under the obedience of God: but also that it ought to win & possess our harts, so as we should come of good will to offer our selves unto God, to be altogether his. Let us therefore consider that God doth us a singular good turn, when he beginneth at this point, namely, that he will have us to love him. But we be also exhorted to serve him, not by compulsion, as the most part of the world doth, in whom (as we see) there is nothing but slavish fear. Therefore let us learn so to govern all our affections as it may be our chief pleasure to serve God. Now on the contrary part, whereas Moses joineth the obedience of the law with love, thereby he showeth that there may be hypocrites which shall make a countenance to love God, & will boast themselves thereof with full mouth: but yet the very true proof thereof is that we honour his majesty and submit our selves to the same. For God hath not bound us to him by halves: what manner of superiority hath he over us?
Now if our eyes bee blindfolded, if wee bee dulheads, if we wil not vnderstand the things which