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A17698:2098

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.

John Calvin 1509–1564London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583

[12], 1247, [145] p. · 1.5M words · STC 4442 · ESTC S107166

Title page: Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy, digitized by the Internet Archive (opens the Internet Archive in a new tab)

THE SERMONS of Master John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses call… › Sermon 88: On Wednesday the xvj. of October. 1555. The Lxxxviij. Sermon which is the third upon th…THE SERMONS of Master Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses cal… › Sermon 88: On Wednesday the xvj. of October. 1555. The Lxxxviij. Sermon which is the third vpon th…

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.

[ Earlier:2095–2110 of 6,323

:2095p. 542§60

And is not that such a preeminence, as of duty ought to make every of us to strain himself (yea even beyond his power) to show a constant and invincible zeal in causing men to serve and honour GOD? For if a prince employed a man in his affairs, and did put him in commission; he would strain himself so far, as he would even hazard his life; and he would think that what pain so ever he took, though he did much more, yet all were too little seeing he had so honourable a charge.

And is not that such a preheminence, as of duetie ought to make euerie of vs to streine himselfe (yea euen beyonde his power) to shew a constant and inuincible zeale in causing men to serue and honour GOD? For if a prince imployed a man in his afaires, and did put him in commission; hee woulde strayne himselfe so farre, as he woulde euen hazarde his life; and hee woulde thinke that what paine so euer hee tooke, though he did much more, yet all were too litle seeing hee hadde so honourable a charge.

:2096p. 542§60

Behold, the living GOD taketh us as if we were his defenders, and will have every of us to represent his own person: and yet for all that, we despise all those things; when Gods name is blasphemed we make no reckoning of it; the party himself that hath taken the oath to conceal no such thing, shall play the traitor first. And therefore it is no wonder though wicked folk take such liberty, and that when they be convicted, they allege that no man complains of them, & that they have done no man any wrong.

Beholde, the liuing GOD taketh vs as if wee were his defenders, and will haue euerie of vs to represent his owne person: and yet for all that, we despise all those thinges; when Gods name is blasphemed wee make no reckening of it; the partie himselfe that hath taken the othe to conceale no such thing, shall playe the traytour first. And therefore it is no woonder though wicked folke take such libertie, and that when they bee conuicted, they alleadge that no man complaines of them, & that they haue done no man any wrong.

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Cited: :2098
On this page: :2095–2110
Section: :2078–2120
Whole work: 6,323 passages

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John Calvin, Sermons upon Deuteronomy (At London, 1583), serm. 88, §60, p. 543. EEBO-TCP A17698.

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The book

Title as printed: 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.
Author: John Calvin 1509–1564
Place: London
Printer: Henry Middleton
Bookseller: George Bishop
Year: 1583
Size: [12], 1247, [145] p.
Words: 1,484,943
Catalogue: STC 4442 · ESTC S107166
Text: EEBO-TCP A17698

Passages: 6,323
Sections: 1,725

:2099p. 543§60

Furthermore, let us consider (as I have said afore) that if we must endeavour by all the means we can to have swearing redressed:§10 much more reason is it that we should not suffer any man to step up to trouble the Church, and to make any rebellion, but utterly root out such a pestilent fellow out of hand. But yet before all other things, let us look that we know Gods trueth aforehand, that we may be able to maintain the same: for without that, we shall go lumpishly to work, and our zeal shall be but as the rage of madfolkes, as I have already showed by the examples of the heathen §20men, Jews, and Papists. The Papists have a fair colour, in saying that if a man deface the majesty of a Prince, he shall not scape unpunished: and therefore it is much more reason that men should be punished for setting themselves against God. Yea: but in the mean while they wot not what GOD they worship: for they be carried away with their own wicked and devilish superstitions. Let us mark then, that we must not take this law here at §30adventure; but that to begin well, we must lay this foundation, that we be sure that the religion which we hold is of God. As for example, we have the holy Scripture; and there our Lord hath showed us his will. He protesteth by his Prophet Isaiah that he hath not spoken vainly nor covertly,¹ nor meant to beguile men in bidding them to seek him. Then have we an open declaration of Gods trueth, so we obey his word by faith, and receive it without §40gainsaying.

Furthermore, let vs consider (as I haue saide afore) that if wee must endeuour by all the meanes wee can to haue swearing redressed:§10 much more reason is it that wee shoulde not suffer any man to step vp to trouble the Church, and to make any rebellion, but vtterly roote out such a pestilent fellowe out of hande. But yet before all other thinges, let vs looke that wee knowe Gods trueth aforehand, that wee may be able to maintaine the same: for without that, wee shall goe lumpishly to worke, and our zeale shalbee but as the rage of madfolkes, as I haue alreadie shewed by the examples of the heathen §20men, Iewes, and Papistes. The Papistes haue a faire colour, in saying that if a man deface the maiestie of a Prince, hee shall not scape vnpunished: and therefore it is much more reason that men shoulde bee punished for setting themselues against God. Yea: but in the meane while they wote not what GOD they worship: for they bee carried away with their owne wicked and diuelish superstitions. Let vs marke then, that wee must not take this lawe here at §30alauenture; but that to begin well, wee must lay this foundation, that wee bee sure that the religion which wee holde is of God. As for example, wee haue the holy Scripture; and there our Lorde hath shewed vs his will. Hee protesteth by his Prophet Esay that hee hath not spoken vainly nor couertly,¹ nor meant to beguile men in bidding them to seeke him. Then haue wee an open declaration of Gods trueth, so wee obey his worde by faith, and receiue it without §40gainsaying.

1Esa. 45.19.

:2103p. 543§60

If a man say, we must worship God after a spiritual manner, without making any puppets to him, and that the breaking of the rule which our Lord Jesus Christ hath given us, is utter abomination: out upon it, that's a foul heresy, at leastwise by the judgement of the popedom. But yet for all that, the Scripture beareth it. If a man say we have no freewill to do good, but that we be utterly corrupted; and that if there be any goodness in us, it proceedeth of Gods mere grace and mercy, so that our going forward towards the mark, is because we be renewed by his holy Ghost, and yet nevertheless that we be weak, and had need to flee continually for refuge to the forgiveness which GOD promiseth us, and whereby we be reconciled unto him, whereunto we attain not by our own deserts and satisfactions, but must be fain to be purged by the bloodshed of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by that means we obtain salvation: if these things (say I) be alleged: by and by he must be haled to the stake. And why? Because all this is condemned by their Synagogues.

If a man say, wee must worship God after a spirituall manner, without making any puppets to him, and that the breaking of the rule which our Lorde Iesus Christ hath giuen vs, is vtter abomination: out vppon it, thats a foule heresie, at leastwise by the iudgement of the popedome. But yet for all that, the Scripture beareth it. If a man say wee haue no freewill to doe good, but that wee bee vtterly corrupted; and that if there bee any goodnesse in vs, it proceedeth of Gods meere grace and mercie, so that our going forwarde towardes the marke, is because wee bee renewed by his holy Ghoste, and yet neuerthelesse that wee bee weake, and had neede to flee continually for refuge to the forgiuenesse which GOD promiseth vs, and whereby wee bee reconciled vnto him, whereunto wee attaine not by our owne desertes and satisfactions, but must bee faine to bee purged by the bloudshed of our Lorde Iesus Christ, and by that meanes wee obtaine saluation: if these thinges (say I) bee alleaged: by and by hee must bee haled to the stake. And why? Because all this is condemned by their Synagogues.

:2105p. 543–544§60

If a man say that we must serve God according to his commandments, and not depend upon those that take upon them to enjoin laws to mens souls, and that all such inventions are ⟨p. 544⟩foolish: What? Shall the traditions of our mother holy Church be so rejected? That were a deadly and intolerable crime. If a man speak of the Sacraments, & say that baptism ought to be ministered in a known tongue, that men may understand to what end our Lord Jesus ordained it, what fruit it yieldeth, and how to use it a right: and moreover that men may perceive that baptism sendeth us to our Lord Jesus Christ, and hath no power of it self further than §10God worketh by his holy spirit, which appeareth when we have an eye to him that is the very substance of baptism: and that all the trifling toys ought to be put away wherewith men have mocked God to the full, namely, the ceremonies of their own inventing which are but utter corruptions of baptism, as their spittle, their salt, & all their other may games which they play withal: If a man talk so of their stuff, he must be put to death for it out of hand. And §20why? Fie upon him, he is a rank heretic, he is not to be borne with. Yea, but they should see first whether it be an heresy or no. For by that means they make God him self an heretic for want of due examination; and what a dealing is that? If a man say that our Lords supper ought to be received according to the rule which he him self did give us, that is to wit, that we should communicate together, so as the bread might be a warrant to us that we §30be truly become partakers of his body, and the wine a warrant that we be partakers of his blood, and consequently that the Mass is an abomination of the devils own devising, for that therein the Christian are so far off from communicating together, that one man separates himself from all the rest of the company: behold, then must excommunication serve as a sauce for all meats.

If a man say that wee must serue God according to his commaundementes, and not depend vpon those that take vpon thē to enioyne lawes to mens soules, and that all such inuentions are ⟨p. 544⟩foolish: What? Shall the traditions of our mother holy Church bee so reiected? That were a deadly and intolerable cryme. If a man speake of the Sacraments, & say that baptisme ought to be ministred in a knowen tounge, that men may vnderstande to what ende our Lorde Iesus ordeyned it, what fruite it yeeldeth, and how to vse it a right: and moreouer that men may perceiue that baptisme sendeth vs to our Lorde Iesus Christ, and hath no power of it selfe further than §10God worketh by his holy spirite, which appeareth when wee haue an eye to him that is the verie substance of baptisme: and that all the trifling toyes ought to bee put away wherewith men haue mocked God to the full, namely, the ceremonies of their owne inuenting which are but vtter corruptions of baptisme, as their spittle, their salt, & all their other may games which they play withall: If a man talke so of their stuffe, he must be put to death for it out of hand. And §20why? Fye vppon him, hee is a ranke heretike, he is not to bee borne with. Yea, but they shoulde see first whether it bee an heresie or no. For by that meanes they make God him selfe an heretike for want of due examination; and what a dealing is that? If a man say that our Lordes supper ought to bee receiued according to the rule which hee him selfe did giue vs, that is to wit, that wee shoulde communicate togither, so as the bread might bee a warrant to vs that wee §30bee truely become partakers of his bodie, and the wine a warrant that wee bee partakers of his bloud, and consequently that the Masse is an abhomination of the diuels owne deuising, for that therein the Christian are so farre off from communicating together, that one man separates himselfe from all the rest of the company: beholde, then must excommunication serue as a sauce for all meates.

:2106p. 544§30

Again, if a man come at Easter to receive the Lords supper, he must have but a morsel,§40 and he must hold him contented with the one half of it: and moreover, contrary to Christ his institution, which says: take and eat: they would bear God in hand that he shall receive; we give it thee, say they. Besides this, if a man intend to be reconciled to GOD, the Mass must serve as a new sacrifice, and although they say it is the same that Jesus Christ himself offered, yet do they oftentimes reiterate it. If a man open his m•uth against such abominations,§50 O that is an untolerable crime. The air must ring of the great outcries that shall be made against it. How now, say they? What ado have we here? He hath spoken against the decrees of the holy Councils. Yea, but before that God commanded the punishment of Rentgates that should go about to trouble the Church, and to set division in the faith; he said, Thou shalt not do what seemeth good in thine §60own eyes;¹ but thou shalt submit thy self obediently to my sayings, and not step aside from my word, but yield your selves to it both great and small; and therefore that order ought to be maintained.

Againe, if a man come at Easter to receiue the Lordes supper, hee must haue but a morsel,§40 and hee must holde him contented with the one halfe of it: and moreouer, contrarie to Christ his institution, which sayes: take and eate: they woulde beare God in hand that he shall receiue; we giue it thee, say they. Besides this, if a man intende to bee reconciled to GOD, the Masse must serue as a new sacrifice, and although they say it is the same that Iesus Christ himselfe offered, yet doe they oftentimes reiterate it. If a man open his m•uth against such abhominations,§50 O that is an vntolerable cryme. The aire must ring of the great outcryes that shalbe made against it. How now, say they? What ado haue wee here? Hee hath spoken against the decrees of the holy Councels. Yea, but before that God commaunded the punishment of Rentgates that shoulde goe about to trouble the Church, and to set diuision in the faith; he saide, Thou shalt not doe what seemeth good in thine §60owne eyes;¹ but thou shalt submit thy selfe obediently to my sayinges, and not step aside from my worde, but yeelde your selues to it both great and small; and therefore that order ought to bee maintained.

1Deut. 12.