A17698:2583
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.
it is not the water of baptism that washeth away our sins before God: but it is a figure that putteth us in mind of the trueth and substance, which sealeth in us the thing that was brought to pass by the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus much concerning this one point, that here our Lords meaning is that men should not invent means or fashions §40of purging themselves, but be contented with that which he hath ordained in his law.
it is not the water of baptisme yt washeth away our sins before God: but it is a figure that putteth vs in minde of the trueth and substance, which sealeth in vs the thing that was brought to passe by the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ. Thus much concerning this one point, that here our Lordes meaning is that men should not inuent meanes or fashions §40of purging themselues, but bee contented with that which he hath ordeyned in his lawe.
Also he speaketh of such as have regard of the flying of birds, and observe times. Although it be lawful for us to mark the courses of the times according to the stars: yet is it a cursed superstition well worthy to be condemned, when we go beyond the order of nature. The measuring of the year by the course of the Sun is according to Gods rule. So likewise is the measuring §50of the months by the course of the moon, and the observing of the other things which God hath set in all the planets and stars. For it is not said for nought that God hath ordained the Sun and the Moon to do us service: but yet therewithal they have a kind of government over the day and the night: and thereof springeth the difference of times, as is said thereof. Then if men hold themselves within those bounds, no evil will come of it: but if they range §60without them, and fall to inventing of other things beyond the ordinary course of nature: then it is devilish superstition, like as that is which men call judicial Astrology. For there are a great sort of fantastical persons nowadays, which will take upon them to tell mens fortunes by the disposition of the Stars. Such a one (say they) shall come to such an end: or else if he take his journey on such a day, such a thing shall betide him, because such a planet reigneth and hath his aspect to the tail of such a one. Again if a man be borne under such an aspect, then must he die after such a sort. When men invent things after this fashion beyond Gods limitation, they be but devilish devises to corrupt the order of nature. Therefore let us mark well that here Moses forbiddeth all such divinations as are made upon the time: not meaning but that we should have respect of winter and summer, that we should sow and reap, that we should dress our vines according to the season of the Moons, and as we see that opportunity will serve best: For otherwise it were an utter undoing of all things, and an abolishing of the order that God hath set. But his meaning is that men should not through their fond and wicked desires, pass the bounds which God hath appointed. So then let us keep our selves to this plainness that God hath set down.