A17698:4670
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.
Let us now see first of all, whether Moses chose Joshua upon his own head or no. No: but he knew him to be first chosen of God. And afterward when he laid his hands upon him, did he attempt any thing upon his own fancy? No: but contrariwise God only was the orderer or disposer thereof. He knew that Joshua was to be set in his place. And this is spoken not of that man only;1 but also when the Apostles did lay their hands upon the faithful, by and by the gifts of the holy Ghost were made visible to the eye. After that manner did the faithful receive the gift of tongues, the interpretation of tongues, the healing of diseases, and the raising of the dead. And how received they it? They did but lay their hands upon them. Yea, but had that Ceremony such virtue? No: but because it was Gods will to have his grace so declared, & that the laying on of hands was as a gage of it; it was not a vain and unprofitable thing. And in that respect is it that saint Paul saith unto Timothy, That he should make the grace available which was given him by laying on of his hands.2 Seeing it is so (sayeth he) look that thou endeavour thy self to serve God, and labour to build up the Church, and that the grace of God which is given thee by the laying on of my hands be not hindered. Saint Paul challengeth not to himself the thing that is peculiar to the holy Ghost, neither meaneth he that he had the holy Ghost in his sleeve to give him to whom he listed by the reaching out of his arm: but he showeth us that the sign which God had appointed unto it, was not vain or uneffectuall.
Let vs nowe see first of all, whether Moses chose Iosua vppon his owne heade or no. No: but he knew him to be first chosen of God. And afterward when he laide his handes vpon him, did he attempt any thing vpon his own fancie? No: but contrariwise God only was the orderer or disposer thereof. He knew that Iosua was to be set in his place. And this is spoken not of that man onely;1 but also when the Apostles did lay their hands vpon the faithfull, by and by the gifts of the holy Ghost were made visible to the eye. After that manner did the faithful receiue the gift of tongues, ye interpretation of tongues, the healing of diseases, and the raising of the dead. And how receiued they it? They did but lay their hands vpon them. Yea, but had that Ceremonie such vertue? No: but because it was Gods will to haue his grace so declared, & that ye laying on of hands was as a gage of it; it was not a vayne and vnprofitable thing. And in that respect is it that saint Paul saith vnto Timothy, That he should make the grace auailable which was giuen him by laying on of his hands.