A17698:2176
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 as touching the Ceremony whereof I am to speak, which the Jews observe and whereof they have made a very solemn law: we see thereby how the world will needs pay God always with petty trifles. And that is it from whence such superstition is come. It is all one with that which §20we have seen heretofore, where God forbade his people to disfigure themselves at the death of any of their friends. But the Jews considering not to what end such prohibition was set down: observed it according to the letter. Well then, they must not disfigure themselves: but yet they had not an eye to gods meaning, which is that men overshoot themselves too far in making too much sorrow at the decease of their friends, tormenting themselves without measure, blaspheming §30the name of God, and fretting inwardly. And therefore God intended to repress such corruption. Yea and as though mens sins provoked not Gods wrath sufficiently of themselves: they think it not enough to be impatient, but they do also provoke themselves to it still more & more. For we see there is no measure in mens sorrowing, but they enforce themselves to weep, and do many other things to increase their grief and heaviness, kindling the fire still more and §40more, which is great enough already of it self. After the same manner deal they in all other things. But what do the Jews still in this behalf? They may not disfigure themselves: but in the mean while they rend their garments. And so the meaning of the Lawmaker, which was simple, is defeated. For to their seeming, when a friend of theirs is dead, they must not be without sorrow for him, for that were a dishonouring of him, and therefore they must rend §50their garments for him. And besides that, they must make such Countenances, and such Ceremonies, so as they must not eat that day in their own houses, but spend that day abroad in mourning, and in doing this and that. When they have finished a hundred pelting toys, they bear themselves in hand that they have well pacified God; and yet notwithstanding that they may despise him all their life long. And herein we see as in a looking glass, how greatly our nature §60is inclined to superstition; and secondly that always we will needs have ceremonies to content God withal, and to discharge our duties towards him.