A17698:4669
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.
Here is now a question that might be demanded, how it is said, that when Moses had laid his hands upon Joshua, he was filled with wisdom, whether a mans hands have that power or no? [No.] but when the sign of a thing is spoken of, we must go to the thing §30it self. We know that in all solemn blessings, there was this sign of the Laying on of hands. Now this was not an invention fondly contrived after the manner of men, which have many Apes toys: but it was a record allowed of God, as if an oblation had been made of the party that was so blessed. When the holy Patriarchs blessed their children, it was as though they had given them assurance that the inheritance of salvation belonged unto §40them, & that the promise should stand & abide in full force to their posterity. Likewise at this day when a man selleth land or house, one putteth a feather into his hand, and he delivereth it over to the purchaser; and in some countries the custom is, that he which selleth any inheritance and maketh the surrender delivereth a stick or wand to the purchaser in token that he may thence forth possess and enjoy the same. And even after the same manner was it with §50this sign of laying on of hands. For (as I said) it was not a fond and foolish device; but it was Gods will that it should be a kind of warranting, to the intent that the faith of the fathers might be the better helped. That is the cause then why it is said in this place, that God gave the spirit of wisdom unto Joshua, because Moses had laid his hands upon his head. Now in so doing he invested him in the charge that was committed unto him.
Heere is nowe a question that might be demaunded, howe it is saide, that when Moses had laide his hands vppon Iosua, hee was filled with wisedome, whether a mans handes haue that power or no? [No.] but when the signe of a thing is spoken of, wee must go to the thing §30it selfe. Wee knowe that in all solemne blessings, there was this signe of the Laying on of handes. Nowe this was not an inuention fondly contriued after the manner of men, which haue many Apes toyes: but it was a recorde allowed of God, as if an oblation had beene made of the partie that was so blessed. When the holy Patriarks blessed their childrē, it was as though they had giuen them assurance that the inheritance of saluation belonged vnto