A17698:2136
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 herewithall we have to mark also, that the rigour of this Law, is not to be observed of from point to point as it is commanded here to the people of Israel. But yet the substance thereof abideth still in force, as I have declared heretofore entreating of idolatry,1 where I told you that we were commanded to put away all places that have served to superstition. Now then, we in these days be not in such thraldom, but that we may use a Church that hath been one of Satan's brothel houses. Idols have bin worshipped here, and GOD hath been blasphemed here: and yet for all that we be now come here together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This place then is new dedicated, according to the saying of Saint Paul,2 that all things are sanctified unto us by faith and by calling upon the name of God. And therefore if a place be put to such use, that God is honoured there, it is a kind of hallowing of ⟨p. 550⟩that place. But under the Law God held the people in greater and more slavish bondage, commanding them to make clean rid dance and utter dispatch of all things that had been used in the service of idols. So is it in this text, where GOD commandeth that the whole City shall be razed, and never inhabited any more. And the straitness of this bond served for the time wherein the fathers were governed like little children.3 But yet doeth the §10substance thereof abide with us still: and we have to gather of this text, that our Lord abhorreth idolatry above all things; and that if other offences be to be punished, this is not to be endured in any wise, but that we ought to abhor it. And because we be too cold in that behalf, we be warned to quicken up our selves, and to take the means which we know to be fit for it, to the end we may be the forwarder in causing God to be served purely among us,§20 and open no gap to deceivers, nor make any way for superstitions and idolatry, that might bereave us of the pure trueth and draw us unto lies. Thus ye see what we have to remember upon this text.