A17698:578
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.
Besides this there is also an assembly that Moses speaketh of, how he was commanded to gather the people together. For it hath been Gods will to keep that order from the beginning for the better exercising of us in the unity of faith. True it is that he could well teach us every one alone by himself: and in deed he useth that way too, so that whether he instruct us by teaching, or give us grace to profit by reading, it may well be done by our selves alone: but yet therewithal there is the common order, which he will have to continue inviolable. And why?1 Forasmuch as we have all one faith, and have need to be tied and knit together in one: GOD useth this mean of teaching us all as it were by one mouth, and maketh us to meet together as it were in one body: and that, not only to the end that a great multitude may take profit at one mans mouth, but to the end we should know that there is but one rule, one trueth, one God that speaketh, and which causeth us to be of one accord and one melody in that behalf, in so much that when every man holdeth in with his neighbour, it is because there is a right conformity. That then is the thing whereunto Moses had respect, in saying that God commanded him to assemble the people, as he that was his Lieutenant. He gave the Law generally to the intent that the people might by that means be taught to think thus with themselves: behold, our God will have us to be of one accord in him, and to be one body wholly conformable to his word, so as every man shift not for himself like bands that were scattered and put to flight in battle, but link together in one right and holy union. And this is not for one time only: but it must be put in ure unto the worlds end. For it is Gods will that his Gospel should be published.2 And how? Not in hudder mudder and in folks ears: but he will have men to be taught openly, and to meet together, yea and their meeting to be to the end that he be preached, so as there may be a good unity of faith, & that the mark whereat all of us do shoot, may be to be gathered and knit together in our head Jesus Christ,3 who is the bond whereof S. Paul speaketh, which proceedeth of the common preaching.
Besides this there is also an assemblie that Moses speaketh of, howe he was commaunded to gather the people togither. For it hath bene Gods will to keepe that order from the beginning for the better exercising of vs in the vnitie of faith. True it is that he could well teache vs euerie one alone by himselfe: and in deede he vseth that way too, so that whether he instruct vs by teaching, or giue vs grace to profite by reading, it may well bee done by our selues alone: but yet therewithall there is the common order, which he will haue to continue inuiolable. And why?