A17698:4464
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 hereupon it followeth, That Moses gave the Law for an inheritance to the Congregation of Israel. This serveth to express better what §60word it is whereof he had made mention. For every man can well enough grant that GOD deserveth well to be heard and obeyed: and the wickeddest folk in the world will magnify Gods word; but in the mean while there are very few which by their deeds do show themselves throughly willing to do that which they say. And why? They would have God to come down from heaven, and to send us his Angels to tell us his will. But he will try our faith after another fashion. True it is that he ratified his Law in old time, and showed that it came from heaven, and that it was not devised by men. But now he will have his Law preached unto us by means of men, and that the same shall be of as great force, as if he himself were present in his own being and majesty. As for the Gospel, we know it hath had his confirmation, and that it is not for us to doubt whether it be Gods trueth or no. But now, what are they that bring us the Gospel? They be mortal creatures, so as this treasure (as saith Saint Paul) is in brittle vessels;1 like as if a man should put a two or three thousand Crowns into a pot that is not worth above a couple of pence, even so is it in that our Lord will have the doctrine of salvation which is an inestimable benefit, to be declared unto us by men like our selves, which bear no great show, nor are of any estimation to the worldewarde: and yet notwithstanding he will have his word to be of as great estimation among us, as if he himself were personally present with us. And for that cause he sayeth,2 He that heareth you, heareth me, and he that refuseth you, refuseth me. For in that place, our Lord Jesus Christ meant not to exalt men: but to show that Gods word ought not to be the less esteemed, although there be no man to give estimation thereto. For we must not have an eye to the messenger, but to him that sendeth him. So then, we see how Moses having spoken of Gods word, and having showed that they which call themselves faithful, ought to submit themselves thereto; addeth, Moses gave the Law, meaning thereby that we need not to go to the new found Isles to seek Gods word, nor to pass over the sea (as we have seen already,3