A17698:2313
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 so let us bear in mind, that if we nowadays have ceremonies without instruction, they shall be all condemned of God, who utterly §30misliketh them, and we can not allege them to be his service. For he declareth and avoweth it to be but foolish superstition, when men turn away from that mark, and that it is the next way to put us quite besides our salvation. And herein we may defy all the huge heap of pomps wherewith the Papists will needs serve GOD: for there is nothing in them that God avoweth. Also we be warned to mingle nothing with the pure simplicity of the Sacraments and Ceremonies §40which GOD would have to be observed nowadays. Let us hold us contented with that which is showed us: for if we add never so little to it, surely we shall make such a mingle-mangle as will be nothing worth, after the manner of the Papists, who (as we see) have invented many things of their own head. We must have this and that, say they, Why so? To what purpose? O (say they) it will serve for such a thing: but in the mean while there §50is no instruction to Godward. Is it their part to cause a doctrine to be brought in? It were meet that God should speak. And when men hear him, then every one shall be edified. But when men thrust themselves in, and fall to forging of fond devotions without authority from GOD: all must needs be cast down. The world sees how the Papists have corrupted the true Sacraments. In Baptism, the water hath been esteemed as nothing in the Popedom:§60 for it is no matter if the infants piss in it. But as for the holy cream that is in it, O, it is not for any man to touch that: for that is too heavenly a thing. And yet notwithstanding the water is the substance of that Sacrament, and the whole perfection thereof. But as for the cream, who devised it? It is a stinking grease that men have charmed, and blowed upon, like sorcerers. And should that be had in such reverence, that the Sacrament which proceedeth from the son of God, should be had in no estimation for it? Moreover, the water (by their reckoning) is not good, unless it have been conjured, and that a number of charms have been made over it, to amaze the ignorant. And therefore so much the better ought we to bear this lesson in mind, that we may be fenced against all Satan's inventions;
And so let vs beare in minde, that if we nowadayes haue ceremonies without instruction, they shalbe all condemned of God, who vtterly