A17698:551
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 afterward he commandeth them to keep these things and to do them. And why? for (saith he) Behold your understanding and your wisdom in the sight of all Nations, is that you be taught of your God. Whereas he saith, ye shall keep them therefore and do them: it is a conclusion well worthy to be noted. For must it not needs be that men are stark mad, when they have no mind to hear God at such time as he teacheth them? What are we that GOD should take the pain to do the office of a teacher towards us? Is it not a great stooping down from his highness? But seeing that God doth so lessen himself, as to stoop to our rudeness to teach us: should we let his word fall to the ground and despise it? So then let us understand, that whensoever we be spoken to in Gods name, we ought to tremble under his majesty, yea and to embrace his word with all reverence, truly, heartily, and zealously. For it is but a counterfeit worshipping of God, if we be not as Lambs, suffering our selves to be led by his only voice: and it is certain that if we follow not after him as soon as he doeth ⟨p. 120⟩but make a sign, we be wild beasts, and he will not know us for any of his. And so we see what authority the name of God carieth with it: insomuch that when Gods word is set afore us, we must all cast down our heads, and bow down our necks to receive the yoke that is laid upon us, and seek by all means to please him and to be obedient to him.
Nowe afterwarde hee commaundeth them to keepe these thinges and to doe them. And why? for (saith hee) Beholde your vnderstanding and your wisedome in the sight of all Nations, is that you bee taught of your God. Whereas he saith, ye shall keepe them therefore and doe them: it is a conclusion well worthie to bee noted. For must it not needes be that men are starke madde, when they haue no minde to heare God at such time as hee teacheth them? What are wee that GOD shoulde take the paine to doe the office of a teacher towardes vs? Is it not a great stooping downe from his highnesse? But seeing that God doth so lessen himselfe, as to stoope to our rudenesse to teach vs: shoulde wee let his worde fall to the grounde and despise it? So then let vs vnderstande, that whensoeuer wee bee spoken to in Gods name, we ought to tremble vnder his maiestie, yea and to imbrace his worde with all reuerence, truely, hartily, and zealously. For it is but a counterfait worshipping of God, if we be not as Lambes, suffring our selues to be led by his onely voice: and it is certaine that if we followe not after him as soone as hee doeth