A17698:464
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.
Moreover we must not stay upon the outward appearance. If we have a desire to a thing, although the same seem good and just, yet must we not think that it is therefore lawful. For if we look upon Moses desire, every of us will say it was holy. Yea and we ⟨p. 98⟩marvel how it was so refused, considering that he spake not so much for himself, as for the common profit of all the people. For his desire tended to none other end, but that the people might have been the better stablished and confirmed in Gods grace. He saw the vocation whereunto he had been ordained, to be most excellent: he had executed it already by the space of forty years: he saw the hardest was yet behind: he was acquainted with §10the peoples vices: he knew the power of mind that was given unto himself: he was sure he had purchased great credit now long ago: Lo here the causes why he wished to have entered into the land. For being a man of sixscore years old, he was not wedded to this present life. And besides all this, we know that inasmuch as he had been taken up heretofore into the mountain, and had tasted there of Gods glory: he was not entangled with transitory §20delights, nor with any worldly thing. Ye see then that Moses had no respect to himself, but would fain have accomplished his office, in setting the people in possession of the heritage that had been promised them, and by that mean have stablished the service of God in the holy land. Who would not say that this was a good desire, considering how it tended to the glorifying of GOD, and to the procuring of the welfare of the whole people?§30 Lo here the two principal ends where unto the whole life of man should tend. And yet notwithstanding, Moses did amiss. Why so? for he resisted God. It ought to have sufficed him, when he had once heard that GOD would not be served by him in that case. Albeit then that the desire that he purposeth be excellent in it self, and aim at a good and rightful end: yet doeth it not fail to be worthy of blame. The reason is, because he submitted §40not himself to God.
Moreouer wee muste not staie vppon the outwarde apparance. If wee haue a desire to a thing, although the same seeme good and iust, yet must wee not thinke that it is therefore lawfull. For if wee looke vppon Moses desire, euerie of vs will say it was holy. Yea and wee