A17698:722
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.
According whereunto he forwarneth us here to make any undergods or mean gods, and doeth us to understand that the sovereign God will keep his state still, so as he will not abide that men shall in any wise abase it, nor diminish his Majesty, nor part his offices among his creatures, to allot any piece or portion of it, be it never so small, to one or other: No no, he will continue alone by himself. Thus ye see what we have to mark in effect as concerning those words of Moses.
According whereunto he forwarneth vs here to make any vndergods or meanegods, and doeth vs to vnderstand that the soueraigne God will keepe his state still, so as he will not abyde that men shall in any wise abase it, nor diminish his Maiestie, nor part his offices among his creatures, to allot any peece or portion of it, bee it neuer so small, to one or other: No no, he will continue alone by himself. Thus ye see what we haue to marke in effect as concerning those wordes of Moses.
But now let us come back again to make a short conclusion of the chief matter which I have touched: which is, that Gods declaring of his strength and power in such wise, was to the intent he might be discerned from all the idols of the world, and that his people might be tied to the religion that he had delivered them. Nevertheless it belongeth to us also, and in very deed it behoveth us to apply it to our selves. And surely seeing that God hath authorized his law by so many miracles: let us assure our selves that he delivered not a doctrine of two or three dais, but such a one as should continue for ever: in so much that the ratifying which he added unto it, ought to have full force even among us at this day. Is Gods Law abated, I mean as in respect of the substance? It is true that the Ceremonies are no more in use: they were all laid down at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.1 But as for the doctrine of the Law, which containeth the promises of salvation, the covenant whereby God hath chosen those whom he will have to be of his Church, the records of the forgiveness of our sins, and finally his will to show us the true rule of good life: all this continueth still, and shall continue to the worlds end. Wherefore let us mark well that all the miracles and wonders that were wrought in delivering the people of Israel out of Egypt, do serve us at this day for a confirmation to cause us to receive Gods Law with all reverence, and to assure and warrant us that it is not a doctrine of mans devise, but of Gods own thundering down from heaven. Let that serve for one point.