A17698:621
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 by the way we have to mark further, that all manner of images and representations are not meant here. For our Lord sayeth expressly that he showed not himself to his people any otherwise than by his only voice, and therefore that it is a corruption to make images. If this should be drawn to conclude, that it is not ⟨p. 138⟩lawful to make any picture at all: it were a misapplying of Moseses testimony, as some do, who being too simple in this behalf, do say it is not lawful to make any image: that is to say, it is not lawful (to their seeming) to paint any story or to make any portraiture. But when the holy Scripture sayeth, it is not lawful to shape any resemblance of God, because he hath no body: it extendeth not so far: for it is otherwise as concerning men. Now then look what §10we see, that may we represent by picture. And therefore let us see that we apply the texts against the Papists as we ought to do, that we may be armed to prove our case just. Buy yet must we be fully resolved of this, that if any man go about to express Gods Maiesti• by any shape: he doeth him wrong, and it is high treason to him, because he is uncomprehensible in his glory. Mark that for one point. Now we see that the Papists have gone about to express §20God by shapes: therefore it followeth that they have marred all Religion. And whereas the allege that there were Cherubins painted upon the veil of the Temple,1 and that two likewise did cover the Ark: it serveth to condemn them the more. When the Papists pretend that men may make any manner of image: What, say they? Hath not God permitted it? No: but the imagery that was set there, served to put the Jews in mind that they ought to abstain §30from all counterfeiting of God, insomuch that it was a mean to confirm them the better, that it was not lawful for them to represent Gods Majesty, or to make any resemblance thereof. For there was a veil that served to cover the great Sanctuary, and again there were two Cherubins that covered the Ark of the covenant. Whereto cometh all this, and what is meant by it, but that when the case concerneth our going unto God, we must shut our eyes and not press