A17698:4233
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.
Moses addeth their abominations: meaning that as soon as we steppe aside from the living God, and from the doctrine whereby he would have us to be ruled; all our life is detestable before him, what colour of good intent so ever we set upon it, as the unbelievers bear themselves ever in hand that they do well when they corrupt the true religion with their own fancies. They bear themselves in hand that all should be well: but God clean contrary wise avoweth that in those doings of theirs there is nothing but cursedness. And so let us mark well, that God alloweth not any Religion which is not ruled by his word, and that it shall be in vain for us to allege that we thought we did for the best, when we sought patrons and advocates and invented new gods of our own head. All these things may perchance go for good on mens behalf, who deceive themselves with their own dotages and dreams: but yet hath GOD given his definitive sentence upon them, which he will not repeal.
Moses addeth their abhominations: meaning that as soone as wee steppe aside from the liuing God, and from the doctrine whereby he woulde haue vs to bee ruled; all our life is detestable before him, what colour of good intent so euer wee set vppon it, as the vnbeleeuers beare themselues euer in hande that they doe well when they corrupt the true religion with their owne fancies. They beare themselues in hand that all shoulde be well: but God cleane contrarie wise auoweth that in those doings of theirs there is nothing but cursednesse. And so let vs marke well, that God alloweth not any Religion which is not ruled by his worde, and that it shall be in vaine for vs to alledge that wee thought we did for the best, when we sought patrons and aduocates and inuented newe gods of our owne heade. All these thinges may perchaunce goe for good on mens behalfe, who deceiue themselues with their owne dotages and dreames: but yet hath GOD giuen his definitiue sentence vpon them, which hee will not repeale.
And to aggravate the evil, Moses addeth that they were new gods, gods that were start up but a while ago, gods whom their fathers knew not: and so in effect, that they had done sacrifice; not