A17698:4237
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 this is a very necessary point for us in these days. For the Papists affirm that the things which we do, are new, and that they were invented but a while ago. Yea, but if we ask them a proof of their antiquity, what say they? That such things have been done now these five hundred years. Truly they lye most commonly with full mouth. For the thing which they hold as chief and most resolute, is not of so long continuance. If ye seek for their confession, or shrift, about a four hundred years ago, there was no law at all thereof. If ye look for their transubstantiation, it is in like case. They make men believe that the bread is no more a material ⟨p. 1130⟩thing, but that it is God whom we ought to worship. And that is spike and spawn new, I mean even in accounting after the manner of men. In like case is it with all the residue. If we look upon all the fashions which they hold at this day, surely they be but a renewing of the things that were in old time, and yet there is little or no resemblance in them. But let us put the case it were to be granted them, that the form of religion which they §10hold hath been observed by the space of a thousand years or mo. What will a thousand years help when we come before GOD? They will not be reckoned for a day,1 no nor for a minute, as I said afore. And where is then our true antiquity? In Jesus Christ who is the beginning of all things, and to whom all things are to be brought back again: In the living God, by whom our Lord Jesus Christ is sent unto us, to make his will known unto §20us. There must we be grounded, if we will have the ancient faith. For in holding our selves to men, we shall have nothing but novelty. Score we up never so many years, they will stand us in no stead, for all passeth and glideth away. But we must have him, which hath neither beginning nor ending, and his unchangeable trueth must be our rule. When we rest upon that, then have we the ancient faith.
And this is a verie necessarie poynt for vs in these dayes. For the Papistes affirme that the thinges which wee doe, are newe, and that they were inuented but a whyle agoe. Yea, but if wee aske them a proofe of their antiquitie, what say they? That such thinges haue beene done nowe these fiue hundred yeares. Truely they lye most commonly with full mouth. For the thing which they holde as chiefe and most resolute, is not of so long continuance. If yee seek for their confession, or shrift, about a foure hundred yeares agoe, there was no lawe at all thereof. If yee looke for their transubstantiation, it is in like case. They make men beleeue that the breade is no more a materiall