A17698:441
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 herewithall we have to note this saying of his, That he gave them the Country in partition. for it should seem that he taketh upon him here to do that which belonged to God. What was Moses? Was the land his to give? By what title could he be named Lord of it? He is in that respect but as a member of the body. True it is that God honoured him so much, as to make him the head of his people:1 But in the mean while how is the Land named? Gods rest, that is to say, the land that God had assigned his people to rest in. It is not said to be the rest of Moses, but the rest of GOD. Seeing then that this land was in the hand of GOD: should Moses boast himself of the giving thereof? We must not think this strange: for when Gods ⟨p. 93⟩servants speak so, they challenge not aught to themselves, but show in what trust they be put, and what charge is committed unto them, by means whereof they separate not themselves from God. If a man be sent from a prince with authority to do the things that he hath in commission: he taketh upon him the name of the Prince as in way of borrowing, and sayeth, I ordain this, I appoint this, I command this, I will have this executed. And he that speaketh §10after that manner, meaneth not to derogate his masters authority. Even so do Gods servants: for they know that he hath ordained them as his instruments, and employeth them in his service, so as they do nothing of themselves, their master is he that over ruleth them. That is the cause why Moses sayeth, that he hath given them their portion: yea verily, not taking himself as another mortal man, but as one whom God had set in his own place,§20 and which did all things in the name of God. And so ye see what we have to bear in mind.
Now herewithall we haue to note this saying of his, That he gaue them the Countrie in partision. for it should seeme that he taketh vpō him here to doe that which belonged to God. What was Moses? Was the land his to giue? By what title could he bee named Lord of it? He is in that respect but as a member of ye body. True it is that God honoured him so much, as to make him the head of his people:1