A17698:1951
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.
For first of all, it was meet that the figures and shadows should supply the room of the truth that was yet unrevealed, until Jesus Christ was showed openly to y• world. Secondly it was Gods will to try the obedientnes of his people by that means. And thirdly it took away all occasion of intermeddling them selves §30with the superstitions of the heathen & unbelievers.
For first of al, it was meete yt the figures and shadowes shold supply ye roome of ye truth yt was yet vnreuealed, vntil Iesus Christ was shewed opēly to y• world. Secondly it was Gods will to try ye obedientnes of his people by yt means. And thirdly it tooke away al occasion of intermedling thē selues §30wt ye superstitiōs of ye heathē & vnbeleuers.
And for that cause doth Moses say, You shall go over Jordan, & God will give you rest in the land that he hath promised you, & there shall you dwell in safety, though you have enemies round about you. And then will he choose him a place in one of your tribes, and thither shall you bring your sacrifices, burnt offerings, & oblations. And the very true sacrifice (saith he) is to do nothing upon your own heads, but to obey your God throughly in all points.§40 When he saith that they shall come into the land, it is to show that Gods deferring to give his law till that time, was to declare more particularly what things he liked of. For it was his will to perform his promise made unto Abraham, before he would establish his own service. And thereby he gave them to understand that the land of Canaan ought to have led them to a further thing. For had there bin no further matter in it than the land it self; it had bin enough for them to have bin settled in it, and §50there to have had wherewith to find them abundantly. But God setteth up his service, & showeth them after what sort they should honour him thenceforth: & all is referred to our Lord Jesus Christ. We see then that the land of Canaan should have guided the Jews to the hope of the heavenly life; so as they should not have set their minds upon the enjoying & possessing of the profits that came thereof, but have proceeded on further & considered that Gods meaning was to reign among them after a