A17698:1561
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.
And therefore when they fall to mingling of their own fancies with it, and take leave to make Laws at their own pleasure: all is out of fashion, all is out of order, there is not any more pureness. Now then, whereas the Papists allege their humbleness in observing the commandments of their Church, or rather hellish synagogue: it is but a devilish overweening, wherethrough they advance themselves openly against GOD, in commending their own folly and beastliness as highly, as though their own inventions were far greater and exquisiter perfection, than the wisdom of God. Thus ye see what we have to remember concerning this point, where Moses reporteth that he neither ate bread nor drank water, of all the while that he was upon the mount.
And therefore when they fall to mingling of their owne fansies with it, and take leaue to make Lawes at their owne pleasure: all is out of fashion, all is out of order, there is not any more purenesse. Now then, whereas the Papistes alleage their humblenesse in obseruing the commaundementes of their Church, or rather hellish synagogue: it is but a diuelish ouerweening, wherethrough they aduaunce themselues openly against GOD, in commending their own follie and beastlinesse as highly, as though their owne inuentions were farre greater and exquisiter perfection, than the wisedome of God. Thus yee see what we haue to remember concerning this point, where Moses reporteth yt he neither ate bread nor dranke water, of all the while that he was vpon the mount.
We see here to what end he forbore meat and drink. It was not to set up some fast, neither indeed was there any ever ordained, he did it not to make a rule of it: but rather it was Gods intent to work such a miracle as might not be drawn to a common example, of purpose to authorise his Law, as hath been said afore. And herein it appeareth what a fondness it was to make the lenten fast, and to bind men to fast forty days after the example of Jesus Christ,1 under colour that he had forborne meat and drink so long together. Surely the fasting of our Lord Jesus Christ, was to show that the Gospel ought not to be less esteemed than the Law: and we see that the like befell to Elijah, who was between them both.