A17698:831
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.
Therefore this text teacheth us to §30forbear to do the things that seem good to our selves, and specially that when Gods service cometh in question, we must not attempt any thing upon our own head, but in all simplicity follow that which he ordaineth by his word, without putting any thing at all thereto. For look how soon we swerve never so little from that: allege we what we can, and set we never so good countenance upon our case: God will not fail to punish us. For this threatening of his is §40not in vain where he sayeth, That he is a jealous & angry God, which visiteth the wickedness of the fathers upon the Children.
Therefore this text teacheth vs to §30forbeare to doe the thinges that seeme good to our selues, and specially that when Gods seruice commeth in question, we must not attempt any thing vpon our owne head, but in all simplicitie followe that which he ordaineth by his woord, wtout putting any thing at all therto. For looke how soone wee swarue neuer so little from that: alledge wee what wee can, and set wee neuer so good countenance vpon our case: God will not faile to punish vs. For this threatening of his is §40not in vaine where he saieth, That he is a ielous & angrie God, which visiteth the wickednesse of the fathers vpon the Children.
Ye see then how there are two points for us to remember in this text. The one is, that forasmuch as we be naturally too much given to idolatry, we must always set this threat of God before our eyes, that we take not upon us to mingle any thing with his word, or to devise any worshipping of images, but serve God purely according §50to his own nature, and not after our own fancy. Let that serve for one point. The other is, that we must consider, that we must not pretend our own good intents, to justify the things that we our selves have invented: but contrariwise bear in mind, that the chief service which God requireth,