A17698:4004
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.
Also there is on the other side, that we have no more cause to reply, Who is he that shall mount up to the heavens? Why? That is as much (sayeth Saint Paul) as to pluck down Christ from the heavenly glory, whereunto he is exalted. We say in an article of our faith, that Christ descended into hell. In so saying we ought to assure our selves, that we be now out of danger, for he entered thither to the end that we should be free from it. We add thereunto, that he is also ascended into heaven. And why? To the end that we might know that the gate thereof standeth open for us. We hear also how he told his disciples: In my fathers house are many mansions:1 signifying thereby that heaven was not only for himself, but that it is a common heritage for all the faithful, and that he hath taken possession thereof, as it were in our behalf. Now then, we protest in the article of our belief, that the heavens at this time stand open for us: and that we ought to assure our selves to come thither, because our Lord Jesus Christ, our head, is gone up thither and will not be separated from the members of his body. Notwithstanding that we have confessed this: yet we stand scanning still, and are full of wavering fancies: Ah, say we, I know not for all that, what shall become of me, I cannot tell whether God doth reckon me to be one of his children: who is he that hath bin in heaven, who is he that hath come thence again to bring us news? See these devilish blasphemies. This is not only to stand in doubt of the trueth of the Gospel, but also to tear Christ Jesus in pieces, as much as we can. O horrible outrage against the son of God: for he that doubteth of his salvation, showeth himself to believe no whit of that which we confess, namely that Jesus Christ hath sovereign dominion both in heaven & in earth: that God governeth the world by him, that he maketh all creatures to kneel down to do him homage:2 to be short, we acknowledge not that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead: but to the uttermost of our power, we go about to deface and to abolish the power of the holy Ghost, which showed it self in his resurrection.
Also there is on the otherside, that wee haue no more cause to replie, Who is hee that shall mount vp to the heauens? Why? That is asmuch (saieth Sainct Paul) as to plucke downe Christ from the heauenly glorie, whereunto hee is exalted. Wee say in an article of our faith, that Christ descended into hell. In so saying wee ought to assure our selues, that we bee nowe out of daunger, for hee entred thither to the ende that wee should be free from it. We adde thereunto, that hee is also ascended into heauen. And why? To the ende that wee might knowe that the gate thereof standeth open for vs. We heare also how hee tolde his disciples: In my fathers house are many mansions: