A17698:1020
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 mark well then, that in this text God condemneth all backbitings that proceed of malice, and ill will, when we hate any man, and would wish him undone, so as if we cannot annoy his person, nor hurt him in his goods, by bereaving him of his substance: we fall to touching of him with some privy nip, and we will go about to defame him. If we do so: it is §50a wicked root, which cannot but bring forth like fruits. That is the point that we must resort unto, to have the right understanding of this commandment of God.
Let vs marke wel then, that in this text God condemneth all backebitings that proceede of malice, and ill will, when we hate any man, and woulde wish him vndone, so as if wee cannot anoy his person, nor hurt him in his goods, by bereauing him of his substance: wee fall to touching of him with some priuie nippe, and we will goe about to diffame him. If we doe so: it is §50a wicked roote, which cannot but bring foorth like fruits. That is the point that we must resort vnto, to haue the right vnderstanding of this commaundement of God.
Howbeit let us mark by the way, that whereas it is said that love covereth the multitude of sins: it is not meant that we should flatter one another, and foster our vices by lying: but that we should not blow them abroad upon desire to defame the parties, who possibly might §60take such a stomach thereat, that they might give themselves over to all naughtiness through shamelessness, as desperate persons do. Wherefore let us mark well, that the holy Ghost intendeth not to make us flatterers and fosterers of our neighbours vices, nor yet liars: but that we should labour to reform their vices as much as we can, and yet notwithstanding bear with them, that we make them not desperate when they have done amiss. For when a man seeth himself defaced, and that it is done upon revenge: it spiteth him, & he giveth himself to the doing of evil, and so he hardeneth in it. Therefore when men are in an evil plight already, if we reprove them boisterously without any charitable affection: we cause them to disorder themselves the more. And therefore if we rebuke mens vices: