A17698:714
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.
Let us mark well therefore that to attain to the right knowledge of God, when we have ranged up and down through the whole world, and spent all our wits in looking upon all things whether they be great or small: if God give us any such inklings of his Majesty as may move us more than ordinary, we must be wholly ravished thereat, and yield him the honour that is due unto him. And how that ought to be done, it shall be declared more plainly anon: for as now I do but go through the words of Moses severally as they lie.
Let vs marke well therefore that to attaine to the right knowledge of God, when wee haue raunged vp and downe through the whole world, and spent all our wittes in looking vpon al things whether they be great or small: if God giue vs any such inclings of his Maiestie as may mooue vs more than ordinarie, we must be wholly rauished thereat, and yeeld him the honour that is due vnto him. And how that ought to be done, it shall be declared more plainely anon: for as nowe I doe but goe through the wordes of Moses seuerally as they lie.
He sayeth afterward, Was there ever any people that heard the voice of their God speaking out of the midst of fire, as thou hast done, and yet continuest alive? Here among other things Moses allegeth that God had spoken to his people out of the mids of fire. For it was a visible sign of Gods Majesty, so as it was not for them to doubt any more whether he were the living God, seeing they heard his voice thundering from heaven, and therewithal saw a great thick cloud and a flaming fire. Now seeing that this appeared to them: was it for them to inquire any more whether it were God or no? No verily: for the thing was most evident. And furthermore, here Moses upbraideth the people covertly with their lewdness, if they continue slow still in doing homage to the living God, seeing that all the heathen were inclined yea and wilfully wedded to their superstitions, and yet knew no cause why. For had the Heathen men been asked by what warrant they worshipped their idols: they would have answered, by reason of their miracles. Yea, but what manner of miracles were they? fantastical imaginations, devilish illusions, and enchantments. But behold, Moses speaketh here of a thing that was known: the hearers of it were present to bear witness of it. For he sayeth, ye heard the voice of your God from out of the midst of fire. Seeing that your GOD hath showed himself to you so familiarly: there