A17698:1216
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 here we see the frowardness that is in men, which is a thing greatly to be lamented. For an oath (as I said) ought to be a record of the honour which we yield unto God: and we see how men clean contrariwise will needs spite him in using of oaths. First of all, when men swear unadvisedly, is it not a manifest despising of Gods name? It must be rapt out when there is neither why nor wherefore. The talk shall be but of mirth and laughter: and yet notwithstanding Gods name must be mingled ⟨p. 287⟩with it. And is not that too great and too shameful a scorning of him? Nay moreover, a mans patience is no sooner stirred, so as he entereth into a little choler: but by and by gods name must answer for it. In so much that it is not enough for them to some out their rage against their neighbours, but they must also step up against God, and show themselves wood and stark mad. And they be no simple oaths which they use: but oaths matched with blasphemy, whereby §10the majesty of Gods name is as good as trampled under foot. Oaths are referred to nothing less than to the end that I spake of, (that is to wit to the glorifying of God among us) when they be applied to so devilish outrages as the wilful defying of God, and the scorning of his name, by tossing it too and fro like a tennis ball, without yielding any reverence unto it. And therefore let us learn that it is too too detestable a vice when trifling oaths are so rife among us,§20 and also that in our choleric passions of impatience Gods name should be so rent and torn, and that men are not contented to have sworn after some simple manner, but also take up kinds of oaths that are matched with blasphemy, so as it appeareth that their intent is to make war against God, and even to spite him when they cannot be revenged of men. Thus ye see what we have to mark upon this text. Therefore to be short, let us understand §30that it is not enough for us, that the spiritual service which we owe unto God be yielded uncorruptly unto him: that is to wit, that we put our trust in him, that we call upon him, and that we offer him our souls and bodies in sacrifice: but we must also show openly before men what religion we hold of, and we must make it known that we be separated from all the defilements of the Infidels and unbelievers.