A17698:2161
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.
therefore we ought to be the willinger to restrain ourselves in abstaining from all uncleanness, and to consider that the cause why God hath given us the free use of all kind of meats, is that we should use them purely, and not be defiled on our side, so as we might not be blamed for defiling of the things §50which have no manner of uncleanness in them selves, in respect of God and in respect of the order that he hath set among us. And we must have this regard not only in respect of meat and drink, but also in respect of our whole life in general. Considering then that God nurtured the people of old time, by forbidding certain meats, to the end that they should think thus with themselves; well then, seeing that our God hath forbidden us the things that §60are lawful for the heathen, and which they take leave to do; let us understand that it behooveth us to live in all manner of pureness, and that seeing God will have us to be pure in small things, he will much rather have us to be so in great things. Let us nowadays consider to what purpose this ceremony of the law may serve us, to the end that every of us may enter into himself. As for example, if a man be led with ambition, so as he will needs advance himself and climb too high: or if he be carried away with covetousness, so as he burn therewith: or if he be an unthrift and lead a lawless life: or if he be a whorehunter and given to beastly lust: let us bethink ourselves thus: how now? Our Lord abhorreth every little uncleanness even in eating and drinking: and what will come of it then if our souls be defiled, sith they be the things wherein he will have his glory to shine most chiefly? True it is that our bodies also are the Temples of the holy Ghost:1 but yet hath God set his own image in our souls: and what a thing were it then to defile them after that sort with all devilish and worldly uncleanness? Thus ye see whereunto it behooveth us to apply this doctrine to use it well.
therefore wee ought to bee the willinger to restraine ourselues in absteining from all vncleannesse, and to consider that the cause why God hath giuen vs the free vse of all kinde of meates, is that wee shoulde vse them purely, and not be defiled on our side, so as we might not bee blamed for defiling of the things §50