A17698:658
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.
Howbeit, to set forth the heinousness of their crime the more, he addeth that he taketh heaven §40and earth to witness, that if the people turn away from the law, and invent or set up any new Religion, they shall perish out of hand, and not possess the land any long time, which should be given unto them. Now this serveth to waken such as are puffed up with vain presumption, under colour that God is gracious unto them, and hath given them some privilege above others. And it is well worthy to be noted. For although we cannot exceed measure in trusting in God: yet do we see §50that a great number do falsely abuse Gods name. If they be once baptised and taken into the company of the faithful: it seemeth to them that God is greatly bound unto them. Whereas they should consider that they be called of his free goodness, and ought to give over themselves to walk in fear and wariness: behold, they be puffed up with pride and vain overweening, and bear themselves in hand through fond hypocrisy, that they be scaped §60out of Gods hand, and in the mean while they do but dally with him. Ye see then what the pride of men is, how that when God showeth himself bountiful towards us, and uttereth the great and infinite treasures of his mercy: they think still that he is greatly beholden to them, and thereupon do overshoot themselves, and take leave to do amiss. According as we see that the greatest strife which the Prophets had against the Jews,1 was for that they bragged of their having of Gods Temple, and of his sacrifices, and of such other things. Now according hereunto Moses saith in this place, It is true that ye do now enter into possession of the heritage which God promised to your fathers: it is true that therein you have an excellent warrant of his preferring of you before all other nations: Surely it is a great and inestimable dignity, that your God should purchase you with his own hand, and drive out the inhabitants of a country to set you in their place, yea and that when you be in that land, you shall be sure to be of his household, and that he dwelleth among you, and that his so doing is to take you up into his everlasting kingdom: Surely it is a singular benefit which your God hath vouchsafed upon you:
Howbeit, to set forth the heynousnes of their crime the more, he addeth that hee taketh heauen