A17698:815
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.
It is said consequently, that God taught the people, saying: I am the Everlasting, thy GOD which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. Thou shalt not have any other God in my sight. Here to keep the people of Israel in awe, GOD telleth them that the knowledge which they have of him, ought to keep them aloof from all superstitions. For it was not to be marvelled at, that the heathen folk had idols, and went wandering after their own errors and fancies. We must understand that it is mans property of himself, to do so. It is pity to see how much we be inclined to vanity. We need not to go to school to learn to be deceived: for every of us is clerk great enough in that case. To be short, we go always forward to evil, yea even under colour of good: insomuch that in stead of serving GOD, there is nothing in us but corruption and idolatry. Therefore the Heathen had their diversities of superstitions: for every man might forge what he would of his own brain,) and in the mean while the living GOD was let alone of all men. And why? For he was not so gracious to the whole world, as to show himself to all men. And so, men became brutish, but that was for want of teaching. Nevertheless, that excused them not: for they be still guilty before GOD. Moreover, the fountain from whence idolatry springs, is the unthankfulness and lewdness of men in that they forsook the living GOD of their own accord.
It is sayd consequently, that God taught the people, saying: I am the Euerlasting, thy GOD which brought thee out of the lande of Egypt. Thou shalt not haue any other God in my sight. Here to keep the people of Israel in awe, GOD telleth them that the knowledge which they haue of him, ought to keepe them aloofe from all superstitions. For it was not to bee marueiled at, that the heathenfolke had idols, and went wandering after their owne errors and fancies. Wee must vnderstand that it is mans propertie of himselfe, to doe so. It is pitie to see howe much wee be inclined to vanitie. We neede not to goe to schoole to learne to bee deceiued: for euery of vs is clearke greate enough in that case. To bee shorte, wee goe alwayes forewarde to euill, yea euen vnder colour of good: insomuch that in stead of seruing GOD, there is nothing in vs but corruption and idolatrie. Therefore the Heathen had their diuersities of superstitions: for euery man might forge what hee would of his own braine,) and in the meane while the liuing GOD was let alone of all men. And why? For hee was not so gratious to the whole worlde, as to shewe himsel•e to all men. And so, men became brutishe, but that was for want of teaching. Neuerthelesse, that excused them not: for they bee still guiltie before GOD. Moreouer, the fountaine from whence idolatrie springes, is the vnthankefulnesse and lewdenesse of men in that they forsooke the liuing GOD of their owne accord.