A17698:1031
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.
Now if they that are stout in rebuking vices be to be condemned, when their stoutness proceedeth of too rigorous a mind: what shall they be whose doings spring of manifest hatred and which will needs misconstrue such sayings and doings, as might nevertheless be well taken, and have no apparent fault in them? If they mar such things by their lewd constructions: are §50they not false witnesses before GOD? So then, let us learn in few words to maintain the honesty and welfare of our neighbours in such sort, that whether we rebuke them, or whether we speak of their vices to the intent they should be punished, and that such as might be seduced and miscarried by their evil example may be reclaimed: let us always have this regard in our speaking, namely that we seek their welfare and benefit as much as in us lieth, and that we keep such an even hand §60continually, as we defame not men after such a sort as they should be out of heart with it. For we should rather bury their faults to the uttermost of our power both before GOD and man, to the intent they may call themselves home again, and not forgo all shamefastness, and so rush out into all naughtiness. That is a thing which we must needs take heed of.
Nowe if they that are stout in rebuking vyces be to be condemned, whē their stoutnes proceedeth of too rigorous a minde: what shall they be whose doings spring of manifest hatred and which will needes misconster such sayings and doings, as might neuerthelesse be wel taken, and haue no apparant fault in them? If they marre such thinges by their lewde constructions: are §50they not false witnesses before GOD? So then, let vs learne in fewe wordes to maintaine the honestie and welfare of our neighbours in such sorte, that whether wee rebuke them, or whether we speake of their vyces to the intent they shoulde bee punished, and that such as might bee seduced and miscaried by their euill example may bee reclaymed: let vs alwayes haue this regarde in our speaking, namely that wee seeke their welfare and benefite as much as in vs lyeth, and that wee keepe such an euen hand §60continually, as we diffame not men after such a sort as they shoulde bee out of heart with it. For wee shoulde rather burie their faultes to the vttermost of our power both before GOD and man, to the intent they may call themselues home againe, and not forgoe all shamefastnesse, and so rush out into all naughtinesse. That is a thing which we must needs take heede of.