A17698:4647
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 specially we have to note, that here God condemneth all the superstitions which are committed in the persons of Prophets or Apostles, as well as unto Idols which the Heathen have made. And that is yet one other thing wherein the Papists do over grossly overshoot themselves. For when idols are spoken §60of, they bear themselves in hand, that if a man worship not the gods which were renowned among the Heathen; it makes no matter, & that it is no idolatry at all. For if the virgin Mary should be called an idol among them; what a thing were it? If the Saints as well Apostles as Martyrs, & even those whom they them selves have imagined, should be called idols: it were a cursed speech among the Papists. And why? For they take none to be idols, but those which were so used among the Heathen. Yea, but in the mean time they perceive not that idolatry may as well be committed in the person of an Angel, yea & even in the person of God, as in the persons of these pe•idinels which were so forged among the Infidels. I say that idolatry may be committed even in the person of God. Let a man follow all the abominations that are committed in the world, & how be they coloured? There is a thing in the Popedom, which they term Gods service; and what is that? The Mass. But we know it is most loathsome & devilish idolatry that can be specially, because the name of God is intermeddled with it. So then we may well say, that we serve God, & that we worship him; & yet in the mean while there shall be shameful & excessive idolatry; as when men turn away from Gods word, & follow their own inventions & fancies. But as for the Papists, it is certain that of the virgin Mary they make an idol. For whereas they attribute unto her the office of an Advocate, to make intercession between God & men, & term her their life, light, & hope: what remaineth more to our Lord Jesus Christ? Is he not by that mean bereft of his Priesthood which was given unto him of God his father? As much is to be said of all the rest of their Patrons as they bear themselves in hand. So then we ought to mark well this text, where God would have the body of Moses to be hidden. And why? Because that if the people had given themselves that way, it had bin no less abomination, than their receiving of strange gods, & their entangling of themselves in the superstitions of the Heathen.
And specially wee haue to note, that heere God condemneth all the superstitions which are committed in the persons of Prophets or Apostles, as well as vnto Idols which the Heathen haue made. And that is yet one other thing wherein the Papistes do ouer grossely ouershoote themselues. For when ydols are spoken