A17698:1298
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.
Yesterday we saw how God forbade his people to ally themselves in any wise with the Infidels, and specially with the people that dwelt in the land of Canaan.1 Forasmuch as it was said that God had chosen that land to the intent that his name should be worshipped there: it was his will to have it purged from all the filthiness and infections, which had reigned there §40too long time afore. And after he hath spoken of the folk, he addeth also that he will have all the tokens and marks of idolatry that were in the country put quite away. For like as it behoved the Jews worship God purely, without intermeddling any of the superstitions of the heathen: so did it also behove them to keep the order in such wise as God had set it down, and to put away all things that were contrary to the true religion and service of God, so as there might be §50no mingling nor corruption. We see now in effect, that the doctrine which is contained here, is that forasmuch as God had given his people the land of Canaan: he would have it clear from all abominations, and his service to be so set up, as all the ceremonies of the heathen and unbelievers might be taken away, and nothing be mingled with it besides his own Law. And that is the cause why he speaketh expressly of Altars and Groves. For as we see that men have no §60end nor measure in devising of fashions to serve God withal: there was not that Grove but they made some devotion in it. And like as men builded Abbeys, Priories, and Chapels in the Popedom: so went the world among the paynims, and the Jews followed the same trade, as we see. But that was not for want of warning: for God had provided sufficiently for them, that they might not set their minds upon such paltry. But what? Hereby it appeareth how hard it is to hold men in the pure simplicity of Gods service. Nevertheless, howsoever men fare, it is told us here, that such as will serve God uncorruptly, must abstain from the things that are devised and forged by idolaters, and stick to the pure doctrine which God hath ordained, and not add any thing to it of their own, or which they find here & there, or which the world hath foolishly brought in: All those things must be laid down, if we will serve God purely. But yet let us mark that there were two reasons why God commanded the Jews to break down the heathen mens altars, & to destroy their idols.