A17698:681
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 in deed if we cannot find in our hearts to bear Gods yoke, but are loth to be subject unto him: is it not reason that we should be under a clean contrary government, that is to wit, that we should be bereft of the true and pure religion, and be plunged in idolatry? We hear what he saith by his prophet Ezekiel.1 For having blamed the Jews for their unthankfulness,§40 he addeth that his delivering of them into the hands of tyrants, is rightful. I have given them (saith he) a good & holy law, yea even with promise, that if they walked in it, they should find life and welfare therein: and I cannot tell what I might have done more for them. What a thing is it, that God doth us the honour to rule us, and to take the pain to guide us all our life long? Again, seeing he addeth a promise, that his teaching of us is for our welfare: if we will not yield §50our selves teachable unto him, but shake off his yoke like wood beasts: is it not reason that we should be cast into most vile slavery, seeing we cannot abide such a master as our God, specially sith he desireth not to rule us otherwise than to our welfare? [yes, and therefore] the creatures, yea and even the devil himself in the end must reign over us. For that is the thing which Ezekiel meaneth by the Tyranny of Babylon.
And in deede if we cannot finde in our heartes to beare Gods yoke, but are loth to be subiect vnto him: is it not reason that wee should be vnder a cleane contrarie gouernment, that is to wit, that we should be bereft of the true and pure religion, and be plunged in idolatrie? We heare what hee sayth by his prophet Ezechiel.1 For hauing blamed ye Iewes for their vnthankfulnesse,§40 he addeth yt his deliuering of thē into ye handes of tyrants, is rightfull. I haue giuē them (sayth he) a good & holy lawe, yea euen wt promis, yt if they walked in it, they should finde lyfe and welfare therein: and I cannot tel what I might haue done more for them. What a thing is it, that God doth vs the honor to rule vs, and to take the paine to guide vs all our lyfe long? Againe, seeing he addeth a promise, that his teaching of vs is for our welfare: if we will not yeeld