A17698:1292
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 it might be demanded whether it be not lawful for the faithful to have any company with the wicked. I told ye already that we must not go beyond the bonds that God hath set. God giveth us leave to endeavour as much §20as is possible for us, to bring them back again which are out of the way of salvation. For as for the things that were spoken concerning the Amorites and the people that were their neighbours: they take not place so rigorously nowadays, as though God gave us the sword in our hand, to slay all that were against us: but every of us must have an eye to his own state, and to the charge which God hath committed unto him.1 Magistrates are armed with the §30sword, to punish those whom God bringeth to their hands, and to put this doctrine in ure. Let us look among us what the holy Scripture telleth us: namely that we should be fain to get us out of the world,2 if we should not in any wise be conversant with the wicked. For why? The whole earth is full of them, and therefore we must needs dwell with them. But after what manner? In such sort as we have neither acquaintance nor familiarity with them. For those §40are the yokes that couple us together. When men fall to eating and drinking with the wicked, and creep into acquaintance with them, and become friends to them: it is not possible but that they must be corrupted, and God offended with it. That is a thing which we have to mark concerning this text. Nevertheless, if we be in company with the wicked: let it be for necessities sake, and so soberly as they may not be able to infect us with their naughtiness, nor by any §50means turn us aside from the right way, or from the fear of God and honest behaviour of life. Lo how far forth we may be conversant with the wicked. But to entangle our selves with them, and to have familiar acquaintance with them, is a manifest tempting of God. And if we say there is such strength & steadfastness in us as they can not win us: we deceive our selves. Verily as who should say that God knoweth us not better than we our selves do. It is not a devilish over-weening §60