A17698:1304
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.
Now then, out of this text we must draw a rule: which is that according as God giveth ability, we must endeavour to have all idolatry §20and all the tokens thereof utterly abolished both publicly and privately. As how? When a Country is at liberty, and our Lord hath planted his word there: such as bear sway and have authority, must find yt means that all such things as have corrupted the true religion, may be abolished & brought to nought. If they do it not: it is a negligence which God condemneth. And if a man will put down idolatry: it is not enough to say, no man shall worship idols any §30more: but all things which embased the pureness of the Religion, must be quite and clean wiped away. As for example, if men should keep still the Altars that were in the time of the devilish Mass: what a thing were it? Whereto served they, but to committee abominable treachery against God, so as there should remain neither faith nor fear towards him, so long as such abomination endured? The Altars served to sing their Masses on. By means §40whereof the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ was utterly defaced, in spite of the redemption that he had wrought. Insomuch that if it be admitted that Jesus Christ was sacrificed daily:1 it is all one as to reject the benefit that was purchased us by his death and passion.
Nowe then, out of this text wee must drawe a rule: which is that according as God giueth abilitie, wee must indeuour to haue all ydolatrie §20and all the tokens therof vtterly abolished both publikely and priuately. As howe? When a Countrie is at libertie, and our Lorde hath planted his word there: such as beare sway and haue autority, must find yt meanes that al such things as haue corrupted the true religion, may be abolished & brought to nought. If they doe it not: it is a negligence which God condemneth. And if a man will put downe ydolatrie: it is not ynough to saye, no man shall worshippe ydolles anye §30more: but all thinges which imbaced the purenesse of the Religion, must bee quite and cleane wyped away. As for example, if men should keepe still the Altars that were in the time of the diuelish Masse: what a thing were it? Wherto serued they, but to committee abhominable trecherie against God, so as there shoulde remaine neither faith nor feare towardes him, so long as such abhomination indured? The Altars serued to sing their Masses on. By meanes