A17698:561
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.
IT was declared to us yesterday, that forasmuch as GOD seeth that we know not how to live: he taketh pain to teach us, and doth it in such sort, that as many as list to obey his doctrine,§10 have a perfect rule to deal by. And at this day it is long of none but our selves, if we be not wise and well advised to guide our selves. For we have a God that will not fail us, and his word is a sure rule for us. But here in we see mens lewdness and unthankfulness, in that they cannot find in their hearts to submit themselves unto God, but will needs be wise in their own conceit, and still follow their own inventions. Yet notwithstanding this §20maxim cannot be razed out by men: namely, that we have neither wisdom nor discretion, except we have profited in Gods school. And therefore we be warned hereby, to hold our selves simply to Gods commandments. For as soon as we fall to adding of any thing to Gods word, it is by and by but corruption: and when we be out of those bounds, we can do nothing but stray. Nevertheless, a man §30might make a question here, how Moses could say that the people of Israel should be counted sage and wise among all Nations: seeing we know that the heathen did glory in their own follies and superstitions,1 even in despite of the law. Seeing the Infidels were so proud that they rejected the good learning [of the Law,] and rested upon their own fond toys, it should seem that this was not accomplished in such wise as Moses speaketh of it here. But we must weigh well the speech §40that is set down here: that is to wit, that the nations which should hear the Laws in such wise as God had given them, should say, behold here an excellent and noble people: Now as for those that held scorn of Gods law, and were carried away with pride and overweening, did they ever understand what Moses had said unto the people? No. So then, ye see that the question is resolved in this wise: namely that as many of the heathen, as had known and tasted well §50the doctrine that God had delivered to the people of Israel, confessed (as truth was) that Gods choosing of a certain people for himself, was a great and singular privilege. But very few of them vouchsafed to consider that: for all of them lay weltering still in their own dung.