A17698:608
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.
But now let us come to the chief matter of §50this sentence. You saw not (saith he) any image or portraiture, in the day that the Lord spake to you in Horeb. Take heed therefore that ye mar not your selves by making you any carved image, or the likeness of any thing, whether it be of man or woman, bird or beast, worm or fish: Beware of all such things. For your God hath showed himself to you in such wise as was expedient, and not in any shape. So then let us bear this lesson in mind, namely to worship him in spirit, because he hath not §60a body, nor any thing in him that can be represented by the things that are seen with our eyes. Now this doctrine is clear enough of it self, if men would follow it, and that the world would not wilfully resist so certain a thing.1 2But this pride hath bin in all ages and reigneth yet still at this day, that men will needs have a presence of God after their own fashion and device. But surely their wits are fleshly, by reason whereof they conceive and imagine of God after their own nature, and thereupon make images unto him. Nevertheless it is not for us to counterfeit God, or to attribute any thing unto him: but it belongeth to him to utter himself: and therefore we must but only receive that which he showeth us, and hold us wholly thereunto.
But now let vs come to the chiefe matter of §50this sentence. You sawe not (saith he) any image or portraiture, in the day that the Lord spake to you in Horeb. Take heede therefore that yee marre not your selues by making you any carued image, or the lykenesse of any thing, whether it be of man or woman, bird or beast, woorme or fish: Beware of al such thinges. For your God hath shewed himselfe to you in such wise as was expediēt, and not in any shape. So then let vs beare this lesson in minde, namely to worship him in spirit, because hee hath not §60a body, nor any thing in him that can be represented by the things that are seen with our eyes. Now this doctrine is cleare enough of it selfe, if men would followe it, and that the world would not wilfully resist so certeine a thing.