A17698:517
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.
But herewithall Moses showeth the end also why he taught the people: not to the end that every man should know what was good, and then make no further account of it: but to the end that their lives should be answerable thereunto. God then setteth us down a doctrine of practise as they say. And therefore it is not enough for a man only to know Gods word,§20 but he must also be transformed into it by beholding it as Gods image,1 as Saint Paul speaketh thereof. To what end then doth God speak unto us? not to the end we should but nod at it or listen with our ear to it, to ratify his sayings by speech or by signs: but to the end we should give proof by our whole life that he is our father and master, and that he hath all preeminence over us: and that whereas we be his creatures, we be his children too. Let us mark §30well then, that our coming hither to hear Gods word, must not be to go away as we came: but if our life be changed, and that we have learned to frame our selves according to that which God hath told us: that is the very right use of it. Otherwise we do but unhallow Gods word, and we shall be found guilty of high treason towards him, for disappointing of the operation thereof. But what? So little is this observed nowadays of such as name §40themselves Christians: that in stead of performing the things that are commanded them, they vouchsafe not to come where they may be taught one word, but which worse is, do shun all learning.
But herewithall Moses sheweth the ende also why hee taught the people: not to the end that euery man should knowe what was good, and then make no further account of it: but to the ende that their liues should bee answerable thereunto. God then setteth vs downe a doctrine of practise as they say. And therefore it is not enough for a man only to knowe Gods word,§20 but hee must also be transformed into it by beholding it as Gods image,1 as Saint Paule speaketh thereof. To what ende then doth God speake vnto vs? not to the end we should but nod at it or listen with our eare to it, to ratify his sayings by speach or by signes: but to ye end we shold giue proofe by our whole lyfe that hee is our father and maister, and that hee hath all preheminence ouer vs: and that whereas wee bee his creatures, we bee his children too. Let vs marke