A17698:2145
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.
WE have here two commandments to expound, which God gave unto his people: The one is that when any §10man died among them, they should make no excessive mourning and lamentation for them in disfiguring their bodies, after the ceremonies and fashions of the heathen. The other concerneth meats: for it was not lawful for the Jews to eat of all meats indifferently: there was a difference set them between clean beasts and unclean §20beasts. Now as touching the first, Moses telleth them, that they be a people chosen of God to be separated from all other Nations of the world. Whereupon he concludeth, that they must not then disfigure themselves: for inasmuch as God had set his mark upon them; they ought not to do any wrong or violence to their own bodies. And therewithal this commandment is so moderated, that if a man have forgone any kinsman or friend of his, he must not lament for §30him out of measure as we see men do, who are wont to be too excessive in their passions. When a body is dead, we see what sorrowing is made for him, yea even with grudging against God, so all is out of order and there is no reason a• all in their dealings. Moses therefore commandeth the Jews to be patient, when it pleaseth God to bereave them of their kinsfolk or friends. And therewithal he telleth them it is a shame for them to disfigure themselves after §40the manner of the heathen, forasmuch as it was a defacing of Gods image which was in them because they were made holy from among all the people of the world. Now as touching the first point, for as much as this inconvenience reigneth as well nowadays, as it did at any time heretofore; that is to wit, that men are too excessively given to making of sorrow: this is not superfluous for us. In deed this ceremony of rending folks hair, and §50of scratching their faces to disfigure themselves is no more used: but yet we see how God is grudged at in the grief that men take for the death of their friends, insomuch as they martyr them selves without regard of submitting themselves to God. There is no dealing with them to comfort them, they be carried with such rage, as God cannot be heard, whatsoever ye say to them they be deaf. Now then, seeing that this misdealing continueth still at this day, we §60