A17698:1562
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.
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.2 Wherefore did Moses and Elijah appear at the transfiguring ⟨p. 390⟩of Jesus Christ upon the Mount, but to show the agreement that was between the Law and the Gospel? And we see hereby, that Elijah was as it were between both, that is to say, between Moses and Christ. For he restored the Law and the pure Religion that had been corrupted afore. And so ye see that Moses and Elijah agree in such sort with Jesus Christ, that they not only come to humble themselves to him, but also declare that he §10only is the end and perfection of the Law, and that he is the party to whom all must be referred. Again, when our Lord Jesus Christ fasted, that is to say, when he abstained from meat and drink by the space of forty days together: he did it not yearly, but only once in all his life, at such time as he was to enter upon the execution of his office, which was committed unto him by GOD his father: yea and he did it by way of miracle.§20 Now then is it not a turning of all things topsyturvy, when men will draw it to an ordinary, and make a common rule of it? Is it not an open mocking of Jesus Christ? Is it not a defacing of Gods miracle, as though they would spit at his power? Yes surely. We see then what a blindness it was. And although this superstition be very ancient, in so much that Satan had brought in that devilish error, even before there was any Pope: yet ought we §30