A17698:4164
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 he expressly addeth: in their spots. This saying importeth a reproach likewise; insomuch as it might be said, that they had cast themselves §50wilfully into lewdness, of purpose to shame themselves. Now we know how it is said in Exodus, that God was (as ye would say) the honour of his people.1 For when we be under the protection of our God, there is as a royal Crown upon our head: and it is a greater honour, that if we had all the dignities in the world. And for the same cause also doth Moses say, that this people became shameless in giving themselves to idolatry and superstition,§60 and discovered their own filthiness as a man that showeth his own shame. So then, it may well be taken that the people overthrew themselves in their uncleanness, because they did cast themselves into reproach and infamy, by forsaking their God, yea even that God of theirs whom only they were bound to glorify. But by the way by this word Spots or uncleanness, Moses meant all the wicked lusts which caused the people to overshoot themselves. As if he should say, Behold, your God had showed you the fashion and mean to make your selves clean, that you might have bin a holy people. For the Law served to have withdrawn you from all the defilements of the world; so as by keeping of that rule, ye should have continued under his obedience. And what have ye done now? Ye have unhallowed the Law of God, yea even like as a Swine should wallow himself in the mire and dirt. The thing then which you have gained by forsaking your God, is that your lusts have so carried you away, that you have gone and plunged your selves in dung, yea even with the utter renouncing of the honour which God had bestowed upon you.
And hee expresly addeth: in their spottes. This saying importeth a reproch lykewise; insomuch as it might bee sayd, that they had cast themselues §50wilfully into leawdnesse, of purpose to shame themselues. Now wee knowe how it is sayd in Exodus, that God was (as yee would say) the honor of his people.1 For when wee be vnder the protection of our God, there is as a royall Crowne vppon our head: and it is a greater honor, that if wee had all the dignities in the worlde. And for the same cause also dooth Moses say, that this people became shamelesse in giuing themselues to idolatrie and superstition,