A17698:1603
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 yet must we go so far with him, as we had leaver that the whole world should go to destruction, than Gods glory should be defaced, or that he should not be worshipped, or that the honour of his justice, wisdom,§10 goodness, and power should not be reserved unto him. To be short, we ought to prefer Gods glory, not only before all bodily goods, but also even before the salvation of our souls. And although that that be hard for us to do: yet must we enforce our selves unto it. We see how Saint Paul did the like for the Jews, and he was lead by the same reason which led Moses.1 I could find in my heart (saith he) to be accursed for my kinsfolks sake. It was not humane pity §20that moved him thereunto: but his eye was always upon the promise that had been made to the offspring of Abraham, in respect whereof it behoved God to keep still some remnant of that peoples seed, or else the infidels and unbelievers would have reported him to have bin a liar, and they would have scorned the law & all the promises. Wherefore to the end that Gods name should not come to such reproach: Saint Paul offereth himself to be accursed, if need be,§30 and yet was he well assured, that God would never suffer him to scape out of the hand of his Leader, who had taken him into his keeping. But it is not for us to enter into such disputations. For as I said, Moses is contented to be ravished with such zeal, as he had leaver that both himself and all the world beside should perish, than to see Gods name scorned, or that the unbelievers should have their mouths opened to blaspheme him. That is the thing §40which we have to mark upon the prayer of Moses.
but yet must we goe so farre with him, as we had leauer that the whole world shoulde goe to destruction, than Gods glorie should be defaced, or yt he should not be worshipped, or that the honour of his iustice, wisedome,§10 goodnesse, and power shoulde not bee reserued vnto him. To be short, we ought to prefer Gods glorie, not onely before all bodilie goods, but also euen before the saluation of our soules. And although that that bee harde for vs to doe: yet must wee inforce our selues vnto it. We see how Saint Paul did the like for the Iewes, and he was lead by the same reason which led Moses.