A17698:3976
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 yet that in the mean while, there be not any drop of presumption in us, to suppose that ⟨p. 1055⟩we have any ability or power of our selves, but that GOD be honoured as he deserveth. Now we see, what is the natural sense of this Text, where Moses promiseth unto the Jews that GOD will circumcise their hearts. Thereby he showeth that it is not enough for men to have the Law preached, and to have their ears beaten therewith, and to understand what their duty is: for all that will be but as a dead thing, until the time that God §10do change their hearts, and reform them, and work within them; and that the affections of men and their thoughts be guided by the holy Ghost.
and yet that in the meane while, there bee not any drop of presumption in vs, to suppose that ⟨p. 1055⟩wee haue any abilitie or power of our selues, but that GOD bee honoured as hee deserueth. Nowe wee see, what is the naturall sense of this Text, where Moses promiseth vnto the Iewes that GOD will circumcise their hearts. Thereby hee sheweth that it is not ynough for men to haue the Lawe preached, and to haue their eares beaten therewith, and to vnderstande what their duetie is: for all that will be but as a dead thing, vntill the time that God §10doe chaunge their heartes, and reforme them, and woorke within them; and that the affections of men and their thoughtes bee guided by the holy Ghost.
And by the way he showeth here the use of Circumcision, which is another point worthy to be marked. For the fantastical fellows of our days, which would take away the Baptism of little children, never understood the use of Circumcision. It seemed unto §20them that it was but a temporal matter, yea and a trifling thing, and that it was not spiritual for the ancient fathers: in so much that the cursed heretic which was punished in this Town, mocked all the Sacraments of the Law of Moses. Abraham [said he] had but a shadow of the heavenly life; and albeit; that he was named the father of the faithfull, and it appeareth, that he did altogether stay himself upon the celestial heritage: