A17698:3102
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.
WE have already seen heretofore, how God meant to train up the people of old time under the law, in all pureness, even in the smallest things: intending thereby to accustom them to keep themselves holy without any manner of stain or defilement. And this is the principal end whereunto we ought to refer the first sentence of that which we have now read. A man might think it §50strange at first sight, that God should speak of such a thing as is mentioned here: namely that when men will ease themselves, they must cover their ordure. A man would think that this ought not to be put in the law of God. For these are such things as are not honestly named. But as we have already touched, it behoved the people to be always led by the things which concern the body, unto the keeping of themselves in all holiness in the service of God: as for example, whereas in the law §60mention is made of washings; it was not for that the cleansing of the soul consisted in taking a little water to wash ones hands or to wet his body withal but the people was warned thereby, that they must purify themselves before God, or otherwise they were defiled. If a man happened but to touch the body of one that was dead, he was become unclean. And why? Thereby God gave us to understand, that we can scarcely in all our life move either hand or foot, but we draw upon us some stain or other. For this world is full of occasions unto evil: and we for our part do no sooner take any thing in hand but we offend therein: so as we ought always to consider & acknowledge; that if God take us for such as we are, he must needs abhor us. And why? Because we are filthy and unclean. What remaineth then for us to do? Let us seek the remedy of our uncleanness. Can the water enter as far as the soul to purge us? No. It is but a sign, to betoken that men have need to be washed, and to be made clean: and they ought to be guided thereby unto that which is represented unto them by the water. The like is to be said of all other things. Let us therefore note well, that whereas Moses saith here, that if men avoid their excrements, and any stink ensue thereof, or if there be any disorder among them: God is offended at it: not that he stayeth on those things:
WE haue already seene heeretofore, how God meant to traine vp the people of old time vnder the lawe, in all purenes, euen in the smallest thinges: intending thereby to accustome them to keepe thēselues holy without any maner of stain or defilement. And this is ye principall end wherunto wee ought to referre the first sentence of yt which we haue now read. A man might think it