A17698:4123
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.
And herewithall it is showed us that our faith oweth no obedience but to him only, neither ought to depend upon men, how wise soever they be; but that God ought to have the governing and whole Lordship thereof. According whereunto Saint Paul protesteth, that he reigned not like a Lord under any colour over their faith,1 but that he reserved that right unto God, to whom alone it belonged. And in very deed if we should compare all the men living in the world with Moses, it is certain that we should always find, that he is the excellentest Prophet that GOD hath chosen of all the rest, according as we shall see in the end of this song:2 and yet for all that, his speaking of the law which was published by him, is not to bring us in admiration of his person, that we should say, Truly that was an excellent man: but it is said that God was served by him. After what manner? Soothly even thus, that he did not take any thing in hand, nor put forth any dream or dotage of his own, but only wrote that which he had received at the mouth of God. Seeing that this testimony is delivered concerning Moses: what devilish boldness and arrogance is in them that be far inferior to him: which will needs be heard, when they bring forth nothing but their own fantasies, and submit not themselves to the word of God? And yet we have to mark that the charge of Moses differed greatly from theirs which be at this day ordained Ministers in the Church. For God gave him his law; and therefore he was forty days and forty nights in the mountain without meat or drink, to the end that his doctrine should be authorised. Now, this was peculiar to him, and as a special privilege. Seeing it is so, then are we so much the better confirmed in that which I have spoken: to wit, that it becometh not men to enterprise any thing of their own brain (as they say,) but that they must only deliver forth that which God commandeth them, and be (as it were) his instruments.
And herewithall it is shewed vs that our faith oweth no obedience but to him onely, neyther ought to depend vppon men, howe wise soeuer they be; but that God ought to haue the gouerning and whole Lordship thereof. According whereunto Saint Paule protesteth, that he raigned not like a Lord vnder any colour ouer their faith,1