A17698:1309
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.
True it is that we must be fain to be mingled together one with another as long as we live in this world: but yet is it not said for nought, that Gods children are citizens of heaven and1 pilgrims in the world. Although they be conversant here beneath: yet must they not be tied to it, but they must go on still as in a strange country, knowing that their abiding place is above, and that God hath chosen them with condition that they should go thither. Therefore when such as have known Gods trueth, do fall to mingling themselves with idolaters, and will not be separated from them: it is all one as if they went about to pervert the whole order of nature. But this doctrine hath more need to be throughly well minded, than to be preached with long speech. The thing then which Moses meant by these words, is this: Ye be a people that is hollowed to the Lord: that is to say, Although we were of Adams cursed race, although we came of wretched Infidels: yet notwithstanding our Lord hath vouchsafed to draw us to him, and to choose us to be of his household: and therefore it is good reason that we should be separated from the rest. Hath he done so, by making us partakers of the doctrine of his Gospel? Then his will is to have us dedicated to himself, and that we should be his temples. So then let us look well to it, that we continue in this state, and that we do not wilfully disannul Gods adopting of us, nor consent to any thing that may put us out of his house. For when we forsake Gods Gospel through falsehood, we do what we can to cut our selves off from the body of Jesus Christ, and to disherit our selves of the heavenly kingdom, ⟨p. 313⟩and to banish our selves from it, when we make no conscience nor remorse of intermingling our selves with idolaters and with their defilings. Whatsoever he is that giveth himself the bridle to go to the superstitions of the Papists, and to communicate with them: it is alone as if he cancelled the deed of the inheritance which God hath given him. And that deed is not written in paper nor in parchment: but it is sealed by God in our harts,2 and it is his will that §10seals and marks thereof should also be in our bodies.