A17698:1604
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 therewithal let us come back again to that which is rehearsed here, concerning his breaking of the two tables. Herein we see that how pitiful soever Gods servants are towards the wretched creatures which perish, yet must they not use any such mercy as may nourish the evil, but be careful to do the thing that God commandeth them, without swerving one way or §50other. Sometimes men are so moved with foolish pity, that they offend God: and upon opinion to do good to those whom they bear with, they increase the evil still in them, and are a cause of their greater decay. To be short, men stand so much in their own conceits, that they will needs exceed and go beyond God in mercy. And this is seen in all cases. Howbeit, if a man examine their affections narrowly: he shall find that their so doing proceedeth not of loving §60kindness: for one while they be sharp & rough, and there is nothing with them but destroying: and anon after in the turning of a hand, ye shall see them in another mood, so as they will needs be very pitiful. But after what manner? In going beyond their duty, without regard what God hath ordained: and (which worse is) they will needs be always showing of mercy where there is no repentance, whereby they cast wood into the fire, to make gods wrath burn the hotter against them ▪ And therefore when they whom God hath put in office do see offences committed: they must not in any wise leave them unpunished. For why? If they suffer the mischief to settle & to fester: it will grow worse and worse till it become uncurable. For ye see how diseases become uncurable, when the parties be not purged in due time and place. We must remember how the Apostle saith,1 that we must beware we suffer not evil weeds to grow, but we must pluck them up betimes, for if we do not, they will so overgrow us as we shall not be able to destroy them when we would, but they will stop our eyes, and so keep down the good seed, as it can never thrive. After that manner will God punish our negligence, when we be not diligent in doing our duty to rid away evil from among us. Thus ye see what we have to mark. But let us also apply this lesson to our instruction.
But yet therewithall let vs come backe againe to that which is rehearsed here, concerning his breaking of the two tables. Herein we see that how pitifull soeuer Gods seruantes are towardes the wretched creatures which perish, yet must they not vse anie such mercie as may nourishe the euill, but be careful to doe the thing that God cō maundeth them, without swaruing one way or