A17698:1936
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 now he addeth expressly also, that God will choose a place to put his name in. Whereby he meaneth that he is not to be enclosed in it as in respect of his substance. For (as I have declared afore) there are always two things which it behooveth us to mark well. When we have an outward order or form of serving §30God, we must observe two things therein. The one is that forasmuch as God seeth us to be rude and earthly, he stoopeth unto us, and pleasureth us so far, as to give us things fit for us. As for example, when we in praying do use these ceremonies of kneeling down, of putting off our caps, and lifting up our hands: wherefore do we so? It is not for that GOD hath need of it for his part, but for our own weakness sake. Because we be over gross, we be §40fain to be exercised after that fashion. After the same manner we have Baptism, and the Lords holy Supper, all which things are for the weakness of our nature. And so the see that that is one thing which we have to mark on our part. But when as God beareth with us after that fashion, let us beware that we surmise him not to be like our selves, or that we think him not to behave himself after our lust. For men are always in danger of falling into that extremity.§50 The thing then in effect which Moses meant to say, is this: The Lord will choose him a place to set his sanctuary in, there will he have you to worship him: there will he have you to offer your sacrifices to him, thither will he have you to bring your oblations; there will he have you to honour him with your persons & goods, protesting your selves to be wholly at his devotion. But yet must you not think that your God is come down from heaven and shut up in a coffer §60or chest. You must not think that he fitteth between Cherubins after the manner of men: but that it is enough for you that his name is there, that is to say that he giveth you some token of his presence and power, to the intent ye may be sure that he will hear all our prayers and be merciful to you. And yet for all that he filleth heaven and earth, howsoever the world go. Therefore ye must not fall to shutting up of the infinite majesty and substance of your God, into a corner, or into a material & corruptible Temple.
And nowe hee addeth expressely also, that God will choose a place to put his name in. Whereby he meaneth that he is not to be inclosed in it as in respect of his substance. For (as I haue declared afore) there are alwayes two thinges which it behooueth vs to marke well. When we haue an outwarde order or forme of seruing