A17698:3241
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.
Now as touching the ceremony it hath bin very fondly & foolishly abused in the Popedom, & the abuse thereof reigneth in that synagogue yet still to this day. First, for that hearing the name of leprosy, they supposed it was the scurf, and so have taken the one for the other. And thereupon what §40have they done? Forsooth their officers must judge of this disease, whether any be touched with it or no. And by what knowledge? They send to the barbers and to the physicians, and when they have judged thereof, then they themselves afterward give their verdict. And by what right? Because god ordained the priests to be Judges of the leprosy. That is true. But the priests, whom God ordained were of the stock of Levy. Now since the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, this Priesthood §50hath been transferred unto him: as the Apostle saith in the Epistle to the Hebrews.1I know the Papists are so shameless that they stick not to mock God openly, in saying that it came from Levy unto the Pope. But the Apostle expressly declareth, that it belongeth unto him, who by a solemn oath was appointed according unto the order of Melchizedek. And because our lord Jesus Christ being now risen from the dead dieth no more; the priesthood likewise must remain unto him §60in his own person, & he hath no successor. The Papists therefore rob Christ of his dignity, when they snatch in such wise unto themselves, that which is belonging unto him. And moreover let us note (as I have already touched) that they play the beasts overgrosly in this point: for god spake of the leprosy which was a disease which he sent upon the people of Israel, and they transfer it to the scurf, a thing far different from it. But for all this, they have not left to rear up an other tyranny: for they say that this is a ceremonial law: I grant it. Therefore it importeth a figure. Al this is true. We must come then now unto the trueth & substance which is correspondent thereunto. They say that sin is the leprosy. Well let all this be granted unto them. It must be purged therefore (say they) & the priests must be Judges of it. Yea but let them enter into the place of Jesus Christ, and then shall they be taken for Judges: but until that Jesus Christ be deposed from his priestly dignity, which God his father gave him, it appertaineth not unto any living creature in the whole world.