A17698:4646
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 we have in this text a very profitable warning. First of all how great frailty there is in us, if we be not restrained and bridled by God; and that above all things our nature is so given to superstition, that God is fain to reclaim us from that vice as it were by force.§10 Therefore let us suspect our selves in that behalf, and consider that it standeth us in hand to remove all objects and all other things that may entice us to idolatry, because we be so much given unto it already. Mark that for one point. But if men had well considered this, there had never been so great and horrible confusion, as is to be seen in the Popedom. What is the cause the Papists are so hot after their idols and puppets? Whereupon have they taken §20so great liberty to fill all their Churches with them without end or measure, building so many altars and chapels, and making so many images and pictures? It is for want of the knowledge of that which is told us here, that is to wit, that as soon as men have never so little occasion to commit idolatry, by and by they be ravished with it, and as it were stark mad. They knew not this. They bore themselves in hand that they might build altars,§30 make images, and fill all places with the filthiness of their idolatry, and yet not offend God. They persuaded themselves so. Howbeit they showed by experience, that God doth not without cause condemn all mankind to be given to superstition. Seeing then that we perceive this mischief to be come to pass; let us the rather take warning to live soberly; and (as I said afore) let us distrust our own nature, seeing it is so sinful and corrupted. Also let us §40note, that God meant to show by his own authority, how greatly all idolatries and superstitions displease him. He hath hidden the grave of Moses; and shall men now plead against it? No: for it is a fighting against God, when we will now dispute whether it be good to have means of idolatry. For our Lord pulleth them away from us, because he seeth well that we shall by and by be snarled in Satan's snares, unless he take from us all objects.§50 Seeing then that God declareth the matter so plainly; it behooveth us to agree fully thereunto.
Nowe wee haue in this text a very profitable warning. First of all how great frailtie there is in vs, if wee bee not restrained and brydled by God; and that aboue all things our nature is so giuen to superstition, that God is faine to reclaime vs from that vyce as it were by force.