A17698:4397
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.
Now here is yet thus much more, that therein we may see how God spake by the mouth of Moses. For it had not bin possible for that doctrine to have bin retained, except the majesty of God had matched with it. Had a mortal man handled the people as Moses did, unauthorised from above: surely it had bin the next way to have raised a great sedition against him. Therefore it behooved God to show that he had given power to Moses, and that he held the people in awe. And that served to show that the Law was not coined here beneath: but that God was the very author thereof, and therefore is to be received with such reverence as is due to things that proceed from him. That is an other thing which we have to remember upon this text.
Now here is yet thus much more, that therein wee may see howe God spake by the mouth of Moses. For it had not bin possible for that doctrine to haue bin retained, except the maiestie of God had matched with it. Had a mortall man handled the people as Moses did, vnauthorised from aboue: surely it had bin the next way to haue raysed a great sedition against him. Therefore it behooued God to shew that he had giuen power to Moses, and that he held the people in awe. And that serued to shewe that the Lawe was not coyned here beneath: but that God was the very author thereof, and therefore is to bee receiued with such reuerence as is due to thinges that proceede from him. That is an other thing which wee haue to remember vppon this text.
Having rehearsed the song, now he addeth an exhortation. Set ye your minds (saith he) upon all the words of this Law. Here he showeth to what purpose and intent Gods will was to have the said song published: namely; that the people might know their own naughtiness, wherein they had continued a long time, and be reclaimed from it, and learn to mislike of their stubbornness, and thereupon to meeken their hearts that they might live in obedience to God. And this belongeth unto us, as whereof we may gather a general rule: which is, that whensoever our Lord entereth so into protestation & pleading against us, discovering our vices and bewraying the corruption that is in us: it is to the end to draw us to repentance, that knowing in what plight we be, we should humble our selves, and therewithal be more ready to receive the word of God, that whereas we were hardhearted and full of venom before, so as there was no entering into us to be found: our hearts might be disposed both to hear & to believe his sayings, and to be obedient to him in all cases.