A17698:1290
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.
Howbeit although the doctrine that hath been set down already, might suffice: yet notwithstanding here GOD showeth moreover, that his commanding that those Nations should not be reserved nor suffered to live, was not for naught. Why so? For if they live with you (sayeth he) you may acquaint your selves with them, and if ye make any alliance with them, behold it is a plague, behold it is a contagious disease that will come upon you and your offspring, so as ye shall be corrupted and grow out of kind: and in the end that will cause you to be rooted out, and GODS vengeance which lay upon that people will light upon you, because ye have not executed his judgement as he commanded you. That in effect is the thing that is contained here. And we have a good lesson to gather upon this text: that is to wit, not to have to do with the wicked sort, and with the despisers of God, according to this saying of Saint Pauls,1 that we must not draw the yoke with the unbelievers. For he useth the similitude of Oxen coupled together. The yoke holdeth them so together, that look which way the one draweth, the other must needs follow. In like case is it with men: They that fall into familiarity with the wicked, Do couple themselves with them, so as they be led out of the way and marred by them, insomuch that whereas they weer as little Gods before, now they become stark Devils. Therefore let us beware we mingle not our selves with the despisers of GOD and with the wicked, unless we intend to become like them. Yet notwithstanding their are some to be seen which are so fine headed, that they will make God a liar.
Howbeit although the doctrine that hath beene set downe alreadye, might suffice: yet notwithstanding here GOD sheweth moreouer, that his commaunding that those Nations shoulde not bee reserued nor suffered to liue, was not for naught. Why so? For if they liue with you (sayeth hee) you may acquaint your selues with them, and if yee make any allyaunce with them, beholde it is a plague, beholde it is a contageous disease that will come vppon you and your ofspring, so as ye shalbe corrupted and growe out of kind: and in the ende that will cause you to bee rooted out, and GODS vengeaunce which lay vppon that people will lyghte vppon you, bycause ye haue not executed his iudgement as hee commaunded you. That in effect is the thing that is conteyned heere. And wee haue a good lesson to gather vppon this text: that is to wit, not to haue to doe with the wicked sorte, and with the despysers of God, according to this saying of Saynct Paules,