A17698:4518
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.
The foresaid Recklessness, & finally also pride, where through a great number do bear themselves in hand, that they have knowledge enough §50to rule themselves well, & that it is needless now to learn any more, and that every man may govern himself as he lifteth. By reason whereof doctrine is despised & god is unregarded, and therefore he must needs withdraw his spirit from such folk. So then let us learn to submit our selves with all lowliness and carefulness to y• general rule which god hath set in his church, even for ever; which is, that there should be men which should have the charge to teach us,§60 and that we should hearken unto them, and by that mean continue fast knit together in the obedience of our faith with indissoluble bond, & become one body in very deed, agreeing all in Gods truth and in the pure Religion. Mark it therefore for a special point, that we have then the true token that we be of Gods flock, and of his Church, when his word is purely preached among us, and every of us doth quietly receive the doctrine at the mouth of such as have the charge to preach it. And therewithal, as I have said afore, it behooveth those which are called unto that state, to look well to themselves that they surmise not to themselves a fantastical dignity in this world, to make themselves idols. For wherefore be we shepherds, but to give men the food of life? In respect whereof it behooveth us to bring folk unto God, and to hold them still under his government. And that is utterly unpossible to be done, unless gods word do sound and ring loud and shrill in our mouths, so as folk may have their ears beaten therewith, and be daily provoked to come unto God, and to stick unto him with such firmness and constancy, as we may never start away again. For in all ages men have misused the things which were ordained for their welfare, & specially unto the people of God. We see how the Priests themselves stepped away under the law. That is the cause why the Prophets cry out against them,1 that they be dumb dogs, that they be blind watchmen, that God had set them as on a high stage or watchtower, to the intent they should keep good watch for the preservation of the people & of the true Religion. But they were blind.
The foresaid Rechlesnes, & finally also pride, where through a great number do beare themselues in hand, yt they haue knowledge ynough