A17698:4578
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 here is special mention made of the sacrifices §50of Righteousness, to show that even in the time of the shadows and figures, Gods will was not to be served with countenances only, but that he would have men to come unto him with trueth and righteousness: for he hath ever hated hypocrisy. Truly the diversity between the fathers of old time and us is this, that when they worshipped God it behoved them to ad sacrifices, and to set up lights, and to have many §60other ceremonies, all which things are laid down at this day. But yet it was Gods will in all ages that men should offer themselves to him with pureness of heart, according to this saying in Jeremiah,1 Lord, thine eyes regard the thing that is right. And therefore we must not think that God did ever take pleasure in any of these outward things which are spoken of in the Law. For he commanded them for mens sakes. He did it not in respect of himself, but to keep the people in order who were like to little children, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now seeing that under the Law and ceremonies Gods will was to be served in truth: let us understand, that as now when his service is altogether spiritual, (as our Lord Jesus Christ showeth in the fourth of Saint John where he saith to the woman of Samaria,2 that God would no more have the things that were required under the Law, but would be served altogether in spirit and truth:) if we will serve him duly, it is not for us to have any store of pelting gewgaws before men, as who would say, we would please him with murly mews, but we must offer him the sacrifices of righteousness. And this is a doctrine too much corrupted by the world. For we see what men do commonly term Gods service at this day. I overpass the doings of the papists, they be but mens inventions wherein there is not one syllable of Gods word. But let us put the case that GOD accepted the things which they do; yet are they nothing worth, because there is nothing in them but con tempt of God and hypocrisy. When the papists have babbled very much when they have trotted on pilgrimages, when they have lighted up tapers, when they have bedecked their puppets and idols, they bear themselves in hand that God is well paid. And why? For they transform him with their dotages, and think they may serve him after their own fashion & pleasure.