A17698:4562
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.
And for the same cause also, when Jacob was to remove from one place to another,1 he offered sacrifice to the God of Bethel. Why to the God of Bethel? Was there a God shut up there? No, for we see that even they which would needs make a God in Bethel,2 that is to say, which §50would have builded up a temple there, & offered sacrifices there; were abominable unto God. Insomuch that God saith that it is Bethaven, the place of wickedness;3 and no more his house: he forsaketh & disclaimeth it utterly, even because they abused the revelation that was given to their father Jacob in that place. As for Jacob, he knew how to benefit himself by it. For he knew that God had not changed his nature, ne was enclosed in any certain place,§60 but that by that mean he meant to draw him unto him familiarly. Jacob then received the gage that was given unto him, to the intent it might be known that he worshipped not some God at adventure, as the Heathen did: but that his faith was sure and unfallible. That is the cause why he expressly mentioneth Jacobs worshipping of the God of Bethel, that is to say, not a God which was unknown to him, nor a God that was forged of mortal mans brain, a God but in surmise & opinion: but the God of whom he was fully assured, because he had the trueth whereof he was throughly sure. And even so is it now in the case of Moses. He saith, the God which showed himself to me in the bush, even that God show his favour towards the tribe of Joseph. In saying so, Moses protesteth that he setteth not down some idol that had bin forged of late time, ne bringeth in the superstitions of any heathen folk, Infidels, or idolaters: after which manner we see the Papists & Turks do, who speak much of God, but in the mean while they have no assurance, all their fond dotages are grounded but upon supposals▪ and all their Apes toys are founded but upon their own good intent as they term it. For it is stark devilishness when men presume upon their own self-likings, and it is an opening of hell gates to them to plunge themselves in the bottomless pit. Lo what cometh of that which men term good intent, & of the things which they have imagined & dreamed in their own brain. But as for us, we must have a sure leaning stock, & such a one as will not swerve, so as we may say, we have a God which is not unknown nor hidden from us.