A17698:2363
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.
Now we know what was done in the feast of Pentecost,1 namely that the holy Ghost was sent down upon Christs disciples, and that there was a kind of renewing of the world, to exalt the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ: for there he uttered his power, yea more than he did in his resurrection. For what had we bin the better for Christs rising again in his own person, if he had not poured out the grace of his holy spirit upon his Church, to show that he was set at the right hand of God his father, to fill all things and to dwell in us, and that he hath such sovereign dominion over all things, that we be in safety when we be in his protection? And if we look well upon the matter, we shall find that the law was given the same time as after the Passover.2 For it is said that the people came to Sinai the third month after their departure out of Egypt, the same day that they departed from Raphidin. Now that was the first day of the month, and the fourteenth day was the day of the Passover. And according as the months were as then, which went by the course of the Moons, there was one whole mooneth added. And so in effect there were fifty days from the Passover to Gods setting forth of his law upon Mount Sinai, so as the feast of Pentecost or Whitsuntide was referred to that time. Now we know that the law could do men no good, if it were but only given them:3 for it is a dead letter. And again, it killeth us, because it showeth us our duty, and we be all transgressors of it, so as it condemneth and accurseth us. What are men the better then for the publishing of the Law? Nothing at all, but that it showeth them how they be bereft of all hope of salvation, ⟨p. 611⟩and that they be all damned before God. And that is the cause why Saint Paul saith,4 that the Jews at that time received the spirit of bondage, in terror and fear saith he.5 It is sufficiently showed in the nineteenth of Exodus how the Law afrighteth those that received it. For they went backward and entreated that God would speak to them by the mouth of Moses, because they could not hear his voice but they must needs die for it. Ye see then that the Law