A17698:715
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.
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 ⟨p. 162⟩remains no excuse for you, if you worship him not as your GOD. Either ye must forsake him through wilful rebellion, or else ye must needs grant that there is neither power, Majesty, nor glory in the whole world, other than that which was showed unto you, when the law was given you.
He saieth afterward, Was there euer any people that heard the voyce of their God speaking out of the middes of fire, as thou hast done, and yet continuest aliue? Here among other things Moses alledgeth yt God had spoken to his people out of the mids of fire. For it was a visible signe of Gods Maiestie, so as it was not for them to doubt any more whether he were ye liuing God, seeing they heard his voyce thundering from heauen, and therewithall sawe a great thicke cloud and a flaming fire. Nowe 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 euident. And furthermore, here Moses vpbraideth the people couertly with their leawdnesse, if they continue slowe still in doing homage to the liuing God, seeing that all the heathen were inclined yea and wilfully wedded to their superstitions, and yet knewe no cause why. For had the Heathen men bene asked by what warrant they worshipped their idoles: they would haue answered, by reason of their myracles. Yea, but what maner of miracles were they? fantasticall imaginations, diuelish illusions, and inchauntmentes. But beholde, Moses speaketh here of a thing that was knowen: the hearers of it were present to beare witnesse of it. For he saieth, ye heard the voyce of your God from out of the middes of fire. Seeing that your GOD hath shewed himselfe to you so familiarly: there