Part 103
that custom ought nowadays to be changed among us and now need to be put in us deed. Also let is moderate our morning and let us not our sorer be excessive, but since we have wherewith to comfort ourselves, which thing the folk that lived under the law had not returned or at leastwise not largely as we have, let us practice the doctrine which we be taught in the gospel and also by St. Paul to the Thessalomans. Thus much concerning that point where mention is made of the lamentation that was made for the death of Moses.
Now it follows, That Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands upon him. Here again the people are put in mind that God had not forsaken them though they were worthy of it and it is a very profitable lesson for us to know that God governs his church and never forget it. For without that, what faith could be in us? We should be as folk forlorn. For as long as God governs us if we rest upon him, we boldly proceed and keep on our course. Behold then, what happiness is to have God to be our watchmen and to be governed under his hand and protection. Indeed he appears not always feasible to show his presence, but he Jesus meant to be ministers of his grace. True it is that at that time there were visible signs to show that the dwelled among people.
Nevertheless as he had been served by Moses, so as it is his will that Joshua should succeed in this place.
And in that respect it is said that he was filled with the spirit of wisdom, to do us to understand that God has always showed himself merciful to his church, and that as a father has us care of his children and provides them all things meet for them, so God has always provided beforehand for in the cities of his people. This doctrine this concern us also. For we have also a promise that God will never fail us if we behooved off he spoke and come to him to shroud ourselves under his wings that we may be guided by him. And we know that he has given that office to our Lord Jesus Christ. And for the same cause also he says to his disciples that he will be with them to the worlds end and that saying extends the whole body of the church. Seeing then that our Lord Jesus Christ has said that he will never be departed from us, let us know that in him we have God who will utter forth all his power to maintain us, but yet it is very much, that besides the promises, we have moreover testimonies thereof, so as he points us with his finger to bethink performed, as his spoken of here, where we read that Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom. For what and was that done? For it happened not by chance, neither had God regard of Joshua alone, but it was because he would show himself to be the safety of the Jews. We nowadays are in the same talking. For if they had bidden in God's house, we should have been enjoyed with them. And because they be banished thence and cut off as rotten members, we take their place as says St. Paul.
Now then, let us assure ourselves that God will never suffer us to want anything require for our salvation, but continually show his love and favor towards us and provide us of the things that are for our behold, if we see to him for refuge, you even though we be not worthy thereof. For as for this people, we know what manner of folk they were, and how many faults and offences they committed; so as it had been no wonder though God had utterly destroyed them. But now seeing he provided them of men that were fit and meet to defend them, thereby we perceive that God through with his mercy against the malice of that people. So then, whensoever we be tempted to disturb because we be rebuked for our sins, let us resort to Gods mercy, and pray him, not to look upon our sins, but to proceed continually in his goodness and favor towards us, whatsoever unworthiness there be in our persons. Thus much concerning that point.
Here is now a question that might be demanded, how it is said, that when Moses had laid his hand upon love, he was filled with wisdom, whether a mans hand have that power or not. No, but when the sign of a things is spoken of, we must go to the thing itself. We know that in all solemn beings, there was this sign of the laying on of hands.
Now this was not an invention fondly continued after the manner of men, which have many apes toys; but it was 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 them, and that the promise should stand and abide in full force to their posterities. Likewise at this day when a man sell the land or house, one put a feather to his hand, and he deliver it over to the purchase and in some countries the customer is, that he which sell any inheritance and make the surrender delivered a stick or want to the purchaser in token that he may thence forth possess and enjoy the fame. And even after the same manner was it with this sign of laying on of hands. For as I said, it was not a sound 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 loose, because Moses had laid his hands upon his head. Now in so doing he invested him in the charge that was committed unto him.
Let us now see first of all, whether Moses chose love 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 anything upon his own fancy. No, but contra wise God only was the order or disposer thereof. He knew that love was to be set his place. And this is spoken not of that man only, 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, interpretation of tongues, the healing of desires, and the raising of the dead. And how received they it? They did but lay their hands upon them. Yeah, but had that ceremony such virtue? No, but because it was Gods will to have his grace so declared and that laying on of hands was a gage of it, it was not a vain and unprofitable thing. And in that respect is it that Saint Paul said unto
Timothy, that he should make the grace available which was given him by laying on of his hands. Seeing it is so said he, look that thou endeavor yourself to serve God, and labour to build up the church, and that the grace of God which is given you by laying on of my hands be not hindered. Saint Paul challenged not to himself a thing that is peculiar to the holy Ghost, neither means that he that he had the holy Ghost, neither means he that he hand the holy Ghost in his fleece to give him to whom he lifted by the reaching out of his arm.
But he showed us that the sign which God had appointed unto it, was not vain or ineffectual.
Moreover, the same is to be considered more in all the sacraments whereof the scripture speaks than in all other signs that are to be hand in the world. I have already alleged a similitude of you delivering of a feather or of a want to him by purchased an inheritance but there is yet much more in the sacraments, we must go yet one step higher. For therefore our Lord work that by his power, which men cannot do. True, it is that when such a ceremony is once done and performed, the law will maintain a man in possession of the thing that he had purchased; how about that is not all. For as I said afore, God performed by the secret power of his spirit, whatsoever he showed and witnessed to the eye. So then we must ever come to this point, that the sacraments are effectual and that they be no trifling signs which vanish away in the air, but that the truth is always matched with them, because that God who is faithful, showed that he had no ordained anything in vain. And by is the cause why in baptism we receive truly the forgiveness of our sins, we be washed and cleansed with the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, we be renewed by operation of his holy spirit. And how so? Had a little water such power when it is cast upon head of a child? No, but because it is the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, the water should be a visible sign of his blood and of the holy Ghost, therefore baptism had by virtue and whatsoever is there set forth to the eye, is forth with accomplished in every deed. If we come to the Lord supper, it is certain that a little cantle of bread and a drop of wine cannot quicken our souls, for they be corruptible things. But thereby we have a record by we be fed with the blood and blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ and by the record we know by our Lord Jesus Christ showed by he will not deceive us in his promises, no hold us down with our nibbles in the water as they say, but that he performs all that ever is told us there, insomuch that when we come to that holy table, we must assure ourselves that our souls are nourished with the spiritual food which we see not, and that our faith must mount up to heaven, there to be joined with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here then we have to note, that when the scripture speaks to us of the sings which we have in use according to Gods ordinance, the very truth of them is present with them. And why? For (as I have said) our Lord allows of our faith in that behalf, showing to us that the things which proceed from him and not deceivable. And as we ought to be fully resolved hereof in the Sacraments, so let us mark on the contrary part, that when men invent things of their own heads without the ordinance of God, they be but toys and may games and no better. As for example, in the Popedom they have many signs, which they would have men to accept as high mysteries. What a sort of fond things are in the Mass? And yet (If a man will believe them) there is nothing which is not well worthy to be commended. They would have it that there they be as it were ravished up among the Angels, when they play their pretty pageants. And yet all us but utter vanity and a blearing or dazzling of mens eyes. And why? For if a man demand from whence those things come, he shall find that men forced them and that there is no warrant for them from God, yes and even we ourselves do see that they have defiled Baptism. True it is that they could not utterly dispatch it out of the way, but that (even in spite of their teeth, and in spite of Satan who stews them thereto, and reins over them yet still at this day), our Lord Jesus Christ has brought to pass that his baptism continue still in his church. But yet we see how it is infected with many sports them in the Papists, so as the baptism itself is nothing in comparison of the rest. For they esteemed not a child to be baptized with the water [as it is of itself] but the water must be charmed before hand and it must have continuations made over it and then must other inventions be mingled with it as Spittle, Sault, and Tapes, and a number of other gauds which should make a man amazed. And what imports all these? Every whit of it is but taken from Satan and held still and yet Papists set all their homeliness therein. Again, they have invented sacraments of their own brain, as the sacrament of confirmation as they term it, and the sacrament of any league, and all their other pelting toys. And to be short, what else are all the ceremonies which we see them in them, but utter illusions of Satan? Therefore let us learn to discern the things which God ordains and allows by his word, from the things that men have put forth at adventure and after their own fancies. And let us understand that as God's truth is always obtain an infallible, so the things that are brought up by men, cannot proceed but of untruth and falsehood. For they be governed by Satan who is the father thereof. That is the thing in effect which we have to bear in mind.
And let us Mark further that when men are chosen to govern gods church, (so it be by orderly proceeding according to his word) they shall be guided and governed by him and he will punish them with his gracious gifts as far as shall be needful for them, and whereas we perceive not nowadays the things by experience which are contained here, it is by reason of our unbelief and lewdness. For had we such order of election us ought to be in choosing ministers to preach gods word and that we went about it with such reverence is criticized him a whit calling upon the name of God and without serving the order in such sort as he has set it down by his word and again if they like well done in the choosing of magistrates and officers of justice. It is certain that God also would shed forth at the gracious gifts of his Holy Spirit and we should see that his blessing should not be vain in those elections. But what? Because he oftentimes puffed up with presumption and every man deals after his own fancy and a great sort of us never pass for the observing of the things which God shows us by his word therefore he also withdraws his grace from us whereas if he had deceit to govern his church according to his word and teaching and did put our endeavor thereto, and that in choosing meant to guide the people, we proceeded to it with such severity as they have spoken of it is certain that God would to his part. For his hand is not shortened, but look what is told us here, we should surely find it among us by effect.
Now it is said in the end that the children of Israel upbraid Joshua and that they did according to that which God had commanded by Moses. Herein the first place we see, that among the gifts of the Holy
Ghost a birdie is one, accordingly also as the holy Scripture makes mention thereof in other places. Put the case that a man whereas faith estimate and govern as were possible, yet notwithstanding he shall be of no authority over reputation accept God set him in authority and give him as it wherein Mark to the end that men may stand in awe of him, and stick to him and receive the doctrine which he brings. Then is it a special gift of God and on the other side we see that men are the space and under colour that unless our God Lord do so about them and make folk to embrace them and enable them to perform their charge and to get themselves thereof. That is the cause why it is added expressly here that the children of Israel obeyed
Joshua. It is not only said that he received the gift that where necessary of for his office but also did therewithal good him with the sword according to pass it is said in job, that when he will have a man to be honored, it is like as if he gave him a sword.
And contrariwise when he will have them and to be despised, it is all one as if he took the sword girdle from him. God then did set Joshua after that manner in honor, and it behooved the people to obey him.
Now we know the pride that is in all men, and we know that the people of Israel were given to rebelling above all other people.
Therefore God was driven to hold them in awe, that Joshua might reign over them not in the way of tyranny but to discharge himself of his duty. That is the thing in effect which we have to remember.
Now hereby magistrates are put in mind to pray to God that when he has given them courage and power to do his commandment, he will also not suffer them to be impeached by the beastly things of their people, but that if there be any rebels he will vouchsafed to repress them. For it is certain that even the very flies it rise up against a man unless our Lord do give him authority. Therefore let magistrates you in fear and let them assure themselves they shall never stand should in their estate unless God set this Mark upon them and that they be had in reverence by means. Also let the ministers of God pray him that the doctrine may be received us from his mouth and that he suffered them not to be despised and scorned, as we see how the world is so unthankful that it cards nothing so much and that the devil also desires nothing more than that the ministers should be had in contempt to the end that the word which they bring might be despised. What have we then to do, but to pray God to work in such sort, as we may do them good and as a letter may edify them the cause he has given us other ready to speak in his name? Thus you see how we ought to put that part of this text in practice.
Now here with all, it is showed us but manner of obedience it was which the Jews yielded to Joshua. And thereupon we may gather how far forth we ought to be obeyed men namely so far sort that asked God have the dominion and chief sovereignty and men be but his ministers. True it is that if God permit are in his two reign over as it behooves us to yield our necks to the hearing of that yoke. Yes, but yet must we now in the meanwhile swerve aside from his word. In the princes, the magistrates or the pastures of charge will turn us away from the things which God tells us. We must rather the 100 times. Why so? For the obedience which we owe to them vote that to be led by this rule that God hold still in this place, and every man submit himself to him, both great and small. Let us Mark well then, that if we will have our Lord to allow loveliness of ours, which we show in being obedient to men, we must not grieve him nor Rob him of his right but that he may govern us by the hand and means of men and herein we see how great number do overshoot themselves nowadays. For they bear themselves in hand that they be excused, if their fathers and mothers of their elders or at leastwise their princes do like and are Lo of their doings. But yet shall they not fail to be condemned at gods hand for if the blind lead the blind, both of them shall fall into the ditch and the first shall not have saved the last.
Wherefore let us learn to obey our superiors in such sort as God may never blessed hold us under him and under his guiding and their life be ruled by his word. And specially let us have this regard to the spiritual government of the church. For if we play the Papists, who alleged that they follow their prelates, and do so they have commanded them. We shall be Apostles. For we see that God has reserved his obedience to himself, that he will govern us after his own will and not have his word in anywise corrupted. He will so reign over us and he will have none other to meddle, not to put anything of their own inventing to that which he has ordained, the way then for us to practice that which is set down here is to sow of the those which have superiority over us that first we have an eye to gods commandment and ordinance and then serve men us his ministers whom he sends and by it is means he will have us to be guided. That is the thing in effect each we have together here.
Now finally he say his that there is not any prophet in Israel found like to Moses which new God face-to-face that is to say to whom God revealed himself so familiarly. Here we see in the first place, that God keeps not always one rate in uttering for his grace as we would have him, but that he does and deals in that behalf according to his own will. God then is not bound to any certain law us who would say that because he has sent an excellent man today, he must do the like tomorrow too. Now. Sometime we shall be deprived of a man is matched we shall not find him. And why? Because God reserves that to himself to give the greater glory to his grace. That is the thing which we have to note in the first place, and it serves to teach us that we should not be abashed to stop notwithstanding, if our Lord do sometimes they wish his gracious gifts towards us, let it not cast us in despair for why? It ought to content us that our Lord is liberal. And again we have seen already that he ceased not to have a care of his people, though Moses did far surmount Joshua and had not Ezekiel or match. Not that God's intent was to magnify Moses as in respect of his person, but to the end that the law should be received with the greater reverence and to the people now Moses was sent of God. And God also meant to give some confirmation to the doctrine of the law to the intent to print the same the better in the hearts of the Jews and specially the excellent deliverance that had been wrought [by Moses]. For we see how all the other prophets but also do beaten about that Mark, when their rebuked the people for their unthankfulness. When they blame them further ungodliness, they said before them that deliverance out of Egypt. For it was a deed worthy of maternal memory. To the intent therefore that the people might be the better provoked thereunto, it is said that Moses was the excellent of all men.
And therewithal the people were to be held in obedience to the law, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And that shall be the conclusion in one word.
Although God raised up great prophets after the decease of Moses, yes and such as the more lofty than he, (as in Esau we see a doctrine which at the first sight seems more stately that the doctrine that is contained in Moses:) yet notwithstanding it is certain that Esau was but an expounder of the law, and that the things which he wrought where but dependence thereof, so as he and all the rest grew light of the things which had been taught before by Moses. And therefore (as I have declared already) it behooved the people to have a continual regard of the law that was given to them and that they might never forget it. And although our Lord had so well provided for it, yet we see how negligent they were. It is a horrible thing that the law should be lost as we know it was found again in the time of Joshua. And that it was a treasure which God had committed to the custody of the priest there was a type chosen to that purpose, as who would say keep you well below that it perish not. The people (as we have seen heretofore) where one and to have the law certain upon the post of their houses to write them upon tables about their beds, to carry them about upon their hands, and to bear them as bracelets about to their lambs. Whereas other people had jewels to deck them withal, you (says God) shall ever more have might know before our eyes that you may never forego the remembrance thereof. Yet for all this, the people forgive it whereby we see how grateful it was the authority of Moses should be so magnified, to the intent that the law might abide unimpeached. And that is showed by us the prophet Malachi, where he saves, remember the law of Moses that was given you in Oreb.
After that manner speaks Malachi to the people, telling them that they should be destitute of prophets. For he was the last from that time forth to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. There was not after him any prophet, there was a horrible desolation.
Notwithstanding, to the end that the people should not fall away, and forsake the covenant of God, Malachi sends them back to the law of Moses, as if he should say, all the teaching that you have had tend to not other end but that you should have paid under the law of God.
And was it of necessity does Moses should obeyed in the state of the doing thereof? No, the law was given by Moses but we have grace and truth by Jesus Christ.
Now whereas it is said, that no prophet was like to Moses, who saved
God's face-to-face, let us understand that it is to the end to bring us to this conclusion of St. John, that our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only son of God beasts come from the boast some of the father to disclose his secrets unto us and to accomplish all the things which had been foretold by the prophets. And that many Kings and prophets have been desirous to see and hear the things which we hear and see and have not of tamed it. So then, let it understand that Jesus Christ was not simply a prophet, but the living God himself, manifested in flesh and nature of man, to the intent that we should learn to rest wholly upon him and bear in mind the saying of the apostle in the beginning of the epistle of the Hebrews that God in time past spoke many and diverse ways your fathers, and now that we have one conclusion of all, in that he has uttered his will to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now let us fall down before the Majesty of our good God with acknowledgment of our faults, praying him to make us to perceive them more and more, as we may be sorry for them and to resort to him to be rid of them by him and that in the mean reason he bears with us if of his infinite goodness, until such time as he had fully renewed us. And so let us all say, Almighty God heavenly father, et cetera
FINISH
Here end the Sermons which were made upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy by M. John Calvin minister of Gods word in the church of Geneva, and were gathered by Dyonis Ragveneir, born in Bar, standing upon the river Seine.
Translated out of French into English by Arthur Golding.