A17698:552
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 Moses returneth to that which I touched at the beginning: namely, that God endeavoureth §10to draw us to him by gentleness: and he showeth it here to the people of Israel, in telling them of the excellent prerogative that had been given them. For behold here (sayeth God) this is thy wisdom and thine understanding in the sight of all nations. We know that naturally it is a grief to men to be counted beasts. And why? For they know that the thing wherein they differ from beasts, is that they have discretion and reason in them. God to the §20intent to make us excel Oxen, Asses, Dogs, and Swine, hath printed his image in us. And wherein consisteth this image, but in the having of discretion to discern between good and evill• And therefore it is not to be marvelled at, though men covet to be skilful, and to have wisdom and ability to judge. But yet for all that, there are very few that seek rightly to have a true judgement, insomuch that all do rather turn away and wander after their §30own fancies, and become brutish in themselves. Yet nevertheless, (as I said afore) we make great account of the having of discretion and wisdom to judge between good and evil. But here Moses showeth, that men are unable to rule themselves. In deed we ween yes: but it is but a weening, yea and an overweening. For our life is utterly out of order, and there is nothing well ruled in it, until GOD have showed us the way, and that we §40have profited in his school. That is the thing where unto Moses leadeth the people as now. All men [sayeth he] are desirous of knowledge, and loath to be as brute beasts. Because they be shaped after the image of God, they would fain have discretion, that they might know how to live.
Nowe Moses returneth to that which I touched at the beginning: namely, that God indeuoureth §10to drawe vs to him by gentlenesse: and hee sheweth it heere to the people of Israel, in telling them of the excellent prerogatiue that had beene giuen them. For beholde heere (saieth God) this is thy wisedome and thine vnderstanding in the sight of all nations. Wee knowe that naturally it is a griefe to men to be counted beasts. And why? For they knowe that the thing wherein they differ from beastes, is that they haue discretion and reason in them. God to the