A17698:3666
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 […] that which Moses addeth, That the dead carcasses should be eaten of •rowes and of wild b••st••, and that there shall be no man to drive them away: it seemeth to be a vain threatening: for it is no matter whether it be so or no. If a man be buried when he is dead, what is he either the better or the worse for it? It seemeth then: at the first blush, that this should nor be greatly regarded […] But GOD meant to show that he will make his wrath field even in the bodies of them that be dead. And in very deed burial is a privilege that GOD hath given to mankind for a warrant of the resurrection. Let us not think that the use of burying the dead is proceeded of a foolish superstition, or than men devised it. It is true that the heathen have used it, and that was a witness against them: And at the last day they shall be convicted by their using of that Ceremony, which should have taught them to look for the last resurrection; and their not considering of it is unexcusable. For our burial ought to be unto us as a lively glass or portraiture, to show unto us, that we be not created to go after such a sort in corruption, as though there were not an other life, and that we should not be restored unto a new state. And it serveth always for a larger declaration, that mankind perisheth but for a time, and that their bodies shall be renewed. Now forasmuch as burial is as a memorial of the Resurrection as I said afore; therefore is it given to men as a prerogative, to be buried: in respect whereof there is used an honest comeliness, as who should say that we which remain are taught as it were by eye sight to look continually for a ⟨p. 970⟩second life. For the dead also doeth bear a certain mark in his body, that he is as it were laid up in safe keeping, until the day come that GOD will raise the dead again. Now on the contrary side: whereas it is said that men shall not be buried, but that they shall be eaten of beasts and fowls: it is as much as if God meant to deprive them of the common benefit, that he had granted to all mankind: and as if he had showed openly that both in life §10and in death they were accursed of him. And that is the cause why it is said: Thou shalt be Buried with the burial of an Ass:1