A17698:711
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.
Now before we pass any further, let us mark the words that are set down here. Inquire (saith Moses) of the days of old time, since God created man upon the earth. Here he showeth us that our negligence is partly the cause that we know not God. True it is that we cannot attain to his high majesty by our own wit: for our sight is too short. Nay (which more is) not only Gods highness is incomprehensible to us: but also when we think to come near him, it overwhelmeth us. We be blind wretches that have nothing but darkness in us: and God in respect of himself dwelleth in unapproachable light. But yet for all that, if it be well and throughly considered and looked to:1 it will appear that men make none account of seeking GOD, but forslow it as a thing of no profit. So then let us mark the exhortation that is made here, that at leastwise when God worketh, we may apply all our wits earnestly to consider it, and that if there be the like endeavour in us as we make reckoning of, we may prefer that before all other things. For what a thing is it if we know not him that made us and fashioned us, and by whose power we have our being still? When we shall have ranged about heaven and earth, and yet know not God: must we not needs be wretched? Now then let us learn to be more diligent to know God and religion that we have bin. And this stretcheth very far. For we see how we be sharp-sighted and forecasting in worldly things, and we spare no pains in the behalf. If the case concern our own commodity or profit: we need no great calling on, for nature leadeth us thereunto. ⟨p. 161⟩But when we should go to Godward, and seek his will: then we have no leisure, every of us findeth an excuse, we be letted about other things. And is not this a token of great naughtiness? So much the more therefore ought we to come back to that which is told us here: namely that we be so far of from being excused now adays: that if we be negligent and seek not after God, nor inquire how things go, nor what God hath done, nor what he teacheth §10in his Church: we shall be condemned by this text. For it is said, Inquire of the days of old time, since God created the world. True it is that all can not be so great Clerks as to know all things that were requisite:
Now before wee passe any further, let vs marke the wordes that are set downe here. Inquire (sayth Moses) of the dayes of olde time, since God created man vppon the earth. Here hee sheweth vs that our negligence is partly the cause that wee knowe not God. True it is that wee cannot atteyne to his high maiestie by our owne wit: for our sight is too short. Nay (which more is) not onely Gods highnesse is incomprehensible to vs: but also when we think to come neere him, it ouerwhelmeth vs. We be blind wretches that haue nothing but darkenesse in vs: and God in respect of himselfe dwelleth in vnapprochable lyght. But yet for all that, if it bee well and throughly considered and looked to: