A17698:592
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.
And let us mark by the way, that Gods choosing of the sign that is mentioned here, was to do us to understand, that we must not inquire of his majesty further than he giveth us leave. GOD showed not himself in any visible shape, least it might be thought that his essence or being had some shape, whereof we will treat to morrow by Gods leave: but he did set a cloud, darkness,§30 and mistiness before him.1 And why? To the end that we should learn to be humble, and to know that he dwelleth in unapproachable light. We know how curious and overbold men are, for they would fain know what Gods being or substance is, and search out every whit of him by inchmeal, and that so presumptuously as though they would push up their horns into heaven. Such is their nature. But God will have us to worship him in §40fear and humility, as good reason is it should be so. And he withdraweth himself the further from us, when we inquire further of him than he commandeth us. For otherwise were it not all one as if we would make him our underling? What preeminence should he have if he were so shut up within mans conceit? Therefore to express so great and so excessive rashness, he did set a dark cloud before him. But we must mark, that when God did set darkness §50before the eyes of the people, it was not to the intent to be utterly unknown, but to hold the people in awe, that they should not press nigh the hill where the fire and flame appeared that are spoken of in Exodus as is said afore: and therefore was there a great and thick cloud hard by the people. That then was the mean which God used to show himself to the people. Mark that for one point.
And let vs mark by the way, that Gods chosing of the signe that is mentioned here, was to do vs to vnderstand, that we must not inquire of his maiestie further than he giueth vs leaue. GOD shewed not himselfe in any visible shape, least it might bee thought that his essence or being had some shape, whereof we will treate to morrowe by Gods leaue: but hee did set a cloude, darkenesse,§30 and mistinesse before him.1