A17698:4158
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.
Yesterday we saw why Moses speaketh here expressly of Gods truth. For men had need to be §60assured of Gods promises, that they may hold themselves to them and rest upon them: and also to know that his word is the rule of all perfection, that they may receive it with all reverence. And it is said expressly, that there is no unrighteousness in him, to the end that men should learn, not to measure him by their own scantling as they be wont to do. For inasmuch as we comprehend not Gods justice, we draw it down to ours, by means whereof we abase his majesty too much. Therefore if we will yield God his due honour, we must separate him from all his creatures: we must not imagine aught of him after our own fancy, nor compare him to ⟨p. 1110⟩mortal men: for in so doing we shall diminish his glory too much. But now Moses addeth, that the children of Israel had corrupted themselves towards him. Now if we join these two sayings together, to wit, That God is true, just, and upright, so as his works are perfect, and also that the people of Israel were marred out of hand: thereby we shall the better see how detestable that people was for their unthankfulness. For Gods trueth and righteousness shine forth §10the brighter, in that they could not hold themselves to him. Behold, God chose the children of Abraham. But let us see what he was. To be short, had the children of Israel sticked to him, and continued in the union which he had appointed and called them unto, it had been to their highest welfare, yea and their whole happiness and glory. But they turned from God and fell away from him; and therefore must it not needs be that they were mad, and carried §20away with a devilish rage, accordingly as he saith in Jeremiah,1 They have forsaken me, even me who am the fountain of living water? Now then we see better the meaning of Moses, for he showed heretofore the goodness, justice, and righteousness of God, to the end that the people should have the less excuse, and their sin be known to be the more heinous, in that they could not abide that God should hold them still for his inheritance. But (as I have said already)§30 if we be separated from God, we be as it were in the bottom of the dungeon of all mischief; whereas if we be knit unto him, we can want nothing.