A17698:4084
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.
It is also said in this place, that God appeared to Moses at the Tabernacle, even in a cloudy pillar. This was not done for Moses only; but rather for all the people. In deed it was very behoovefull that Moses should be assured of Gods guiding. For the enterprise which he undertook to bring the people out of the land of Egypt, was not for a mortal creature to have §30done [of himself.] It was needful then that they should know that God did avow him. And therefore it was Gods will to ratify the commission which he had given him, that it might have full authority among the people. After the same manner was it Gods will to deal in giving new commission to Joshua, who was to succeed Moses. Also it was his will to cause this last song to be received without gain speaking; & to do them to understand that it was not forged nor hammered in the head of a man,§40 but y• it came from heaven, and that it was God that spake it. To the end therefore that the people might be throughly assured of these things, he saith, Come thou & Joshua to the Tabernacle. And what is the cause that God would not aswell speak to Moses in his own Tent? It was because he would have the people to be the more moved. For men are so slender witted & earthly, that they have need to be led unto God by visible signs. To what end served the Tabernacle? It was as a witness §50that God dwelled amongst his people, as we have seen heretofore. It is certain that God filleth all places with his power & essence: But yet because men are rude & gross, it behoveth them to have some helps to bring them unto him. So then, the Tabernacle served to waken mens wits that they might understand, that in coming thither they came near unto God, as if they had been present before his majesty. For that cause therefore it was said unto Moses & Joshua, that they should §60come to the Tabernacle of the congregation. But that is not all. For there appeared a cloudy pillar, and (as we know) that was a double sign or miracle, to show unto the Jews that God was nigh unto them.1 For in the day time there was a long thick cloud, which was like a great pillar; and in the night the cloud turned to a fire. And to what end was the pillar dark, & like a cloud by day? Because the fire should not be so apparent to the people.