A17698:2385
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.
For when God sendeth us his word, and addeth the sacraments for a confirmation of the same: it is as much as if he showed us his face, at leastwise so far as we are able to abide it. For we be rude and earthly, and cannot behold God as he is,1 and therefore he is fain to apply himself unto us. Yet notwithstanding we must so seek him after the manner that he uttereth and declareth himself unto us; as we be not tied to the visible signs, nor entangled with them as we see the wretched Idolaters are, which always take occasion to turn away from GOD, by means of the helps which he giveth them to bring them to him. Therefore let men beware of such abuse. Indeed when we speak of the Lords supper, we can well enough say that Jesus Christ is there present, and that we possess him. When we come to the receiving of the bread and the wine, we can say they be no empty signs, but that we have there the very substance, insomuch that Jesus Christ imparteth himself to us, so as we be feed and nourished with his body and blood. So then Jesus Christ offereth himself to us in his supper. But is it to be said therefore, that he cometh down from heaven, and that he is to be sought after a superstitious manner, as the Papists and such other like do in these days? No: but it serveth to lift us up to heaven, and to make us understand that although Christ dwelleth there, yet we ought not to doubt but that his power reacheth unto us, and that we be made partakers thereof, and that when we receive the bread & the wine, they be true warrants of that which I have said. Ye see then that we be in the presence of our God, by being partakers of Christs last supper. As much is to be said of Baptism; namely that in the water of baptism we behold the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the redemption which he hath purchased for us: So as it is to us as a lively picture; & not only that, but also we have the trueth so joined with the image and portraiture, as the effect must needs be felt and perceived. Nevertheless it standeth us always in hand, to beware that we abuse not the Sacraments: namely that we be not so fleshly, as to stick to the world: but that seeing God is come down unto us, we also on our side do mount up unto him:
For when God sendeth vs his word, and addeth ye sacraments for a confirmatiō of the same: it is asmuch as if he shewed vs his face, at leastwise so farre as we are able to abide it. For wee be rude and earthly, and cannot beholde God as he is,