A17698:2509
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 in so doing, God meant also to show a dreadful displeasure, and to make the people to know how they were utterly accursed, in that they were disappointed of that kingdom, & that Gods Lamp was after a sort put out. For, that similitude is often set down unto us in the holy §20scripture,1 to show that God maketh his light to shine upon his people, and that although there be not at all times great light, yet there shall ever be a Lamp howsoever the world goeth. And the second reason was, that if a stranger should have reigned, he would soon have changed the religion, as we know that the heathen will always needs set up their own superstitions. And why? For commonly they have not the fear of God to keep them in awe: but rather §30they think God to be bound unto them if they give men leave to worship him and serve him after some sort, & yet for all that they will needs turn all the service of God to their own lusts and liking. If the Turk get the sovereignty in any country, although he be contented to abide the Christians (as they call themselves): Yet doeth he work them all the spite and reproach that can be to discourage them. Where the Papists bear sway, they defile all the purity of §40Christian doctrine, and they can not abide that the Gospel should be preached, or that the Sacraments should be purely used: but they will needs put all to havoc, and in any wise set up their own idolatries. Thus ye see what would have come of it, insomuch that if a stranger should have reigned over the people of Israel, it had bin the next way to have overthrown the whole Law. Not without cause therefore did God expressly provide that they should not §50choose any other king than of the linage of Abraham, such a one as were comprised in the covenant,2 and bare the mark of the Church, that is to wit Circumcision, which was the like Sacrament to the Jews, that we have nowadays of Baptism.
And in so dooing, God ment also to shewe a dreadfull displeasure, and to make the people to knowe howe they were vtterly accursed, in that they were disappointed of that kingdom, & that Gods Lampe was after a sort put out. For, that similitude is often set downe vnto vs in the holy