A17698:1215
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.
And so let us extend this lesson generally to the honouring of God, so that if the case concern religion, we give not that thing to creatures, which our Lord telleth us is peculiar to himself. And therefore whensoever we speak of the name of God, let us yield him all that belongeth unto him, let those things be reserved unto him, and let us not bereave him of his honour, to give it away by pieces and collops to men and other creatures. This extendeth very far. Nevertheless it is enough for us to be admonished in fair words, that when Moses saith we must swear by the name of God, it is as much as if he should say, my friends, like as ye worship the Lord, so must ye also maintain his honour before men. Insomuch that if any man will compel you to transform or change your religion, you shall not suffer it in any case whatsoever: but stand still in this uncorruptnes to say, we have the one God who hath called us to him,1 and both created and redeemed us: and therefore it is good reason that we should be his heritage, and continue wholly his. Thus ye see in effect what Moses meant to utter in this text.
And so let vs extend this lesson generally to the honoring of God, so that if the case concerne religion, wee giue not that thing to creatures, which our Lorde telleth vs is peculiar to himselfe. And therefore whensoeuer wee speake of the name of God, let vs yeeld him al that belongeth vnto him, let those thinges bee reserued vnto him, and let vs not bereaue him of his honour, to giue it away by peeces and colluppes to men and other creatures. This extendeth verie farre. Neuerthelesse it is ynough for vs to be admonished in faire wordes, that when Moses saith wee must sweare by the name of God, it is as much as if he should say, my friends, like as yee worship the Lord, so must ye also maintaine his honour before men. Insomuch that if any man will compell you to transforme or chaunge your religion, you shall not suffer it in any case whatsoeuer: but stande stil in this vncorruptnes to say, we haue the one God who hath called vs to him,1 and both created and redeemed vs: and therefore it is good reason that wee shoulde bee his heritage, and continue wholly his. Thus yee see in effect what Moses meant to vtter in this text.
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