A17698:3977
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 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:§30 yet was he not touched therewith, neither did the fathers know GOD, but worshipped an Angel which was there in a visible shape in stead of GOD. These be the horrible Blasphemies, which ensue when men do so separate the Law from the Gospel. In deed we have at this day a grace which surpasseth that grace which GOD showed to our fathers: but yet must we not so bereave, Abraham of the spiritual kingdom of our §40Lord Jesus Christ, as to make Circumcision to be but an earthly Sacrament. Therefore let us bear well in mind, that when GOD ordained Circumcision, besides that it was a seal of the righteousness of faith,1 (as Saint Paul sayeth in the fourth Chapter to the Romans:) it did also show unto men that they ought to be mortified, and renewed by regeneration to the obedience of GOD. Whereby we may gather, that Circumcision signified §50the same thing unto the Jews, which Baptism importeth unto us at this day. What have we in Baptism? That we be blessed in our Lord Jesus Christ; and that whereas we have nothing but accursedness by the heritage of Adam, we be sanctified to be adopted into the celestial heritage, so as God by justifying us, doeth accept them which were not erst worthy to be numbered amongest his creatures. Again, we have §60also a similitude and a portraiture of death, that we might be changed to serve our GOD. The same was likewise in Circumcision: and Moses doeth show in this place, that it was not a vain figure.