A17698:1959
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.
Again, we see that God is contented with few ceremonies. For it is not his will that we should have any more deckings, lights, perfumes, Cakes, sacrificings of beasts, nor other such things: but his will is that in our baptism we should have such an assurance of our washing & cleansing by the grace that is purchased for us in our Lord Jesus Christ,1 as should continue with us for ever. Have we that? We must hold our selves contented with it. For God could have added §40more, if he had listed: but he listed not so to do. And so ye see here is a bridle which must rein us back to gather us home to GOD, or else he shall never be able to wield us. Now what have the Papists done? Tush, this simplicity of baptism pleased not them, they would needs add this & that to it at their own pleasure. What say they? Should there be but sheer water? What a thing were that? yea, but god hath so ordained it, Jesus Christ who is the infinite wisdom of God §50his father hath so appointed it. It is said that last of all God hath spoken to us by his mouth,2 and that we must stand to whatsoever he saith. Now he hath ordained it in water alone. Yea, but we must have a taper (say the Papists) to represent the holy Ghost: we must have salt, to represent the heavenly wisdom, and the grace of God: we must have divers other things, and we must have spittle to make infants and dumb folks to speak, and we must have a number of other gewgaws to §60mock God withal, which are so gross, and fond, as they can serve for nothing but to make Christianity a laughing stock to the Jews and Turks: and the devil plays his part with them, when the world is sorted after such a sort. We see them that the Papists have broken and transgressed Gods order, by adding after that manner to the things which he had set down certain, and in such measure as he would not have men to go beyond them.
Againe, wee see that God is contented with fewe ceremonies. For it is not his will that wee shold haue any more deckings, lights, perfumes, Cakes, sacrificings of beastes, nor other such thinges: but his wil is that in our baptisme we should haue such an assurance of our washing & clensing by the grace that is purchased for vs in our Lord Iesus Christ,