A17698:2169
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.
Yesterday I told you the cause §10why God forbade the people of old time to eat of some certain kinds of meats. For in as much as we be fed & sustained by his hand, it is good reason that we should use his creatures purely, and that we should have leave of him, so as every man take not leave to do what he listeth, but what Gods word permitteth us to do. Therewithal I showed also, that although the ceremony be no more used §20nowadays, nor we any more bound thereto as the fathers of old time were which lived under the law: yet notwithstanding the doctrine thereof ceaseth not to be profitable for us. And hereby we be done to understand, that it is not lawful for us to eat or drink without faith, (as S. Paul speaketh of it in the xiiii. to the Romans) that is to say,1 unless we be sure that God giveth us the things which we receive for our sustenance, as if a father should feed his children.§30 On the other side, we have far greater liberty nowadays, than was under the Law. We see how liberal GOD is towards us: and we have the more cause to yield him thanks. Moreover the thing that was set down in figures to the Jews in old time, is uttered as now unto us without figure: that is to say, that in all cases & all respects we must bridle our selves, so as we meddle not with the defilements of the unbelievers, but separate our selves from them,§40 seeing that our Lord hath gathered us into his flock and sheepfold. And this figure of the old time, is a warning for us nowadays. For although we be no more bound to the keeping of it; yet notwt standing it ought to move us the more to serve our god purely, sith we see he hath given us a greater privilege than he gave to the Patriarchs & Prophets. After the self same manner is it with the things that Moses addeth here. For yesterday he treated of the meats that were foul and unclean in those §50days. And he sorted them into their several kinds. You shall eat of such beasts, said he: but in any wise beware that ye touch no swine, nor any such like things. Now he treateth of strangled meats, as of flesh that dieth alone without killing and without letting of it blood. And no doubt but that his setting down of this, is to show that in so doing there is a double abomination according to the law.