A17698:1258
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.
In like case was it under the law. For God ordained not the ceremonies without further consideration of some reason in them. It is true that he meant to separate his people from §50all the heathen and unbelievers of the earth:1 but yet in the mean while,2 the washings which they used were done, to show that they were full of naughtiness as well as we, and that it stood them in hand to seek the means to be made clean. The sacrifices were a witness that they were worthy to be condemned to everlasting death, and that there was none other shift for them, but to flee to the sacrifice whereby they should be reconciled to God. The §60Sanctuary betokened that no man but only Jesus Christ might enter into Gods kingdom,3 nor come nigh it: and that by his means all nations have access thither, and that all such as are unworthy in respect of their own persons. are brought in thither by that mediator. To be short,4 all the ceremonies of the Law had some certain use, and served to train the people to put their trust in the redeemer that was promised them.5 And that was the cause why Moses was commanded to make all things according to the spiritual pattern which he had seen on the mount. For Moses builded not the Tabernacle, otherwise than GOD had given him the pattern of it. And all was to show, that there was a conformable resemblance between the outward things, and the trueth which was to be manifested in our Lord Jesus Christ. But in the text Moses speaketh but of the first, and that is the cause why I said, that it be behoved us to have an eye to his meaning. For it was enough for him to say, go too my friends, you which have seen the redemption that GOD hath wrought, you (say I) ought to consider how much you be bound unto him. Therefore make account to the doctrine of the Law, and frame your whole life thereafter, that it may be as an acknowledgement of the deliverance which you have received at his hand. And when ye shall have walked thereafter all the time of your life: look well to it that you teach your children also, so as Gods service may continue among you, and never decay nor be abolished. That is the plain meaning of Moses.