A17698:426
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.
But we on our side also must take warning that we rise not against God, as we see these fantastical fellows do, who will needs be scanning whether a thing be good or no, without inquiring whether it be of God or no: and so should God be fain to resign his majesty. For he cannot be GOD, if he be not righteous. And if men might put his righteousness ⟨p. 89⟩to trial of inquest, so as it might be lawful for them to give their verdict upon it: then if they condemned any of Gods works, his glory were like to go to wreck, and he should be quite bereft of it. We see then what a treachery it is, when men will take such liberty to discourse of good and evil at their own pleasure, without asking counsel at Gods mouth. And on the contrary part, although things seem strange to our natural understanding: yet must we so dispose §10our selves, that if our Lord do once say, this is good, it is my pleasure so to have it: as soon as we have that determination from Gods mouth: we on our part must hold our peace, not only to forbear all replying or grudging against him: but also to submit all our own reason thereunto, and to glorify him with a good will, in this wise. True it is Lord, that if I should judge after mine own fancy, I might speak frowardly and untowardly: but I must have mine §20eye upon thee: and forasmuch as I know thy will to be so, I must submit my self to it, and acknowledge it to be good and rightful, yielding thee this praise therewithal, that thou canst not do amiss. Surely this present example ought well to suffice us. For who is he which would not at the first sight condemn the children of Israel, for killing the little babes after that sort? Did they any thing without Gods appointment? No: for Moses sayeth the contrary. Therefore §30in condemning them, a man should set himself against God: And so fareth it commonly with us. Wherefore if we judge of our neighbours, let us not do it upon our own brain, but let us give that authority unto God, without replying against his word, so as if he allow of any thing, we receive it immediately: for we must have this modesty of ruling our selves in all cases according to his good will. And therewithal, if God now and then do things which seem over §40rigorous, yea and even do touch our selves very near: let us stoop to them.