A17698:1018
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 the case concerneth not only the giving of false evidence in matters of life & death: but also in all matters that touch mens honour, honesty, good name, or goods. Therefore let us have a care to preserve the honour and welfare of our neighbour in all respects, when we be to bear witness. Yet notwithstanding we must not under this colour, cloak the offence of him that hath done amiss, or lye against God to maintain his good state. For if the honour of men be precious unto us: how much more precious ought Gods honour to be? Gods forbidding of me to bear false witness against my neighbour, is because he will have friendliness maintained among men, and that no man should be impaired in his name or goods. Now if God have such regard of us which are but wretched Earthworms: think we that he forgetteth himself in the mean while? No. But if I by my false record, do go about to support or bolster an offender, so as I cover or conceal his crime: it is certain that I dishonour God as much as in me is. Why so? For I protest to say the truth, & yet notwithstanding I make a lie. And is not it a defacing of Gods honour? Is it not an embasing of his glory? Yes: & therefore let us understand, that when God said, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour: he meant not to gratify or pleasure evil doers, or to cover mens faults: but to show in few words, that we ought (as much as in us lieth) to maintain our neighbours honesty, so it may be done with trueth.
But the case concerneth not onely the giuing of false euidence in matters of life & death: but also in all matters that touch mens honour, honestie, good name, or goods. Therefore let vs haue a care to preserue the honour and welfare of our neighbour in all respectes, when we be to beare witnesse. Yet notwithstanding wee must not vnder this colour, cloake the offence of him that hath doone amisse, or lye against God to maintaine his good state. For if the honour of men bee precious vnto vs: howe much more precious ought Gods honour to bee? Gods forbidding of mee to beare false witnes against my neighbour, is bicause he will haue friendlinesse maintayned among men, and that no mā should bee impayred in his name or goods. Now if God haue such regard of vs which are but wretched Earthwormes: thinke wee that he forgetteth himselfe in the meane while? No. But if I by my false record, doe goe about to support or bolstar an offender, so as I couer or conceale his crime: it is certaine that I dishonour God as much as in mee is. Why so? For I protest to say the truth, & yet notwithstanding I make a lie. And is not yt a defacing of Gods honor? Is it not an imbacing of his glory? Yes: & therfore let vs vnderstand, that when God said, Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour: he meant not to gratifie or pleasure euil doers, or to couer mens faults: but to shew in few words, that we ought (as much as in vs lyeth) to maintaine our neighbours honestie, so it may be done with trueth.