A17698:530
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.
therefore cannot God hold us to the pure simplicity §10of his word.1 Besides this, we have a sort of naughty affections, which turn us away from God, and are all of them enemies to make war against God, so as we cannot so much as think a good thought, but we be full of vice and corruption. That is the cause why we cannot hold our selves in obedience unto God. And yet notwithstanding, when we have offended him a thousand ways, do we fall to amending of any whit of it? Yea marry, but after what fashion?§20 After our own guise. We lay on plasters that make the sore worse, as we see hath befallen in all ages. For the Prophets fought against these same vices without ceasing. Although the people of Israel had the law with such strait restraints as ye see here: yet were their fingers always itching to intermingle some inventions of their own therewithal. The Prophets cried out, how now? Shall your God never overrule you as his flock? He hath purchased you by delivering §30you from the bondage of Pharaoh, he hath given you his law, he hath helped you a number of ways besides: and yet ye cannot find in your hearts to live as he will have ye. And wherefore was this people so unruly? First because of pride, (which, as I told you, hath reigned in men in all ages) for that the Jews would needs be able to rule themselves. For they were of opinion, that whatsoever seemed good to themselves, the same ought to have been allowed of God. The very §40ground from whence they took their boldness, to make all the changes [of Religion] that happened among them, was their gassing about them, [& their thinking with themselves] we see that our neighbours do thus. Hereby superstition gat full scope, so as they ran gadding after the idols of the heathen. And when they saw that they had trodden Gods law under foot: Oh (said they) this must be amended. And how? By doubling the mischief from time to time. We see the like in the Popedom:§50 and would God we had the wit to profit our selves by such examples and looking-glasses. For what is the chief point that troubleth Christendom at this day? We demand that men should hear God speak: and that thereupon there should no doctrine be received that is devised at the pleasure of men, but that the world should submit it self to God, that the holy scripture should be taken as the doctrine of perfection: