A17698:2373
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 that if they were contented with Cabins and arbours; it behoved them also to apply themselves to the praising of God for his delivering of them out of the Land of Egypt by so many miracles. The Jews §30as folks that would fain discharge themselves to Godward by hypocrisy, did indeed keep the feast it self, but they left the meaning of him that had commanded it. For even at this day still they keep the feast according to the letter, and they have a number of pretty apes toys which they observe diligently. As, that their Cabins be not too close, but made full of holes, nor that the boughs be not too thick platted, but so as a man may see the stars §40through them, and that there be Loopholes to look upon the sky, so as the sky may glimpse upon their eyes. All of them (I say) do use such trifling toys, but in the mean while they consider not whereunto God meant to direct them. By which example of theirs we be the better warned not to regard the letter of the law: but to seek the end which God pointeth us too. And seeing that the Jews had such instruction: let us consider what fruit we ought to §50reap nowadays of the feast of Tabernacles. It is not now any more in use that we should be bound to the keeping thereof: but yet the doctrine thereof continueth still, and concerneth us as much or more than the Jews. And our keeping of the feast of Tabernacles must not be for a week or twain, but for all our life long. And why?1 For if we be not strangers in this world, we shall have no part in the kingdom of heaven. Will we have God to avow us for §60his children? Let us keep on our way here beneath, assuring our selves that this life of ours is but as a journey, or rather but as a race. And it is not enough for us to go, but we must also run a pace, holding on our way still to that end, and always straining our selves to attain unto it. For except we strain and enforce our selves we shall never get one steppe forward, but we shall retire four back for it. Again we see how slow we be, and how many means Satan hath to hinder us: and therefore we must even fight against such impediments.
and that if they were contented with Cabanes and arbers; it behoued them also to applie themselues to the praysing of God for his deliuering of them out of the Land of Egypt by so manie miracles. The Iewes