A17698:2017
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.
And Moses sayeth expressly, Beware thou fall not into the snares after them. As if he should say, If ye be not stark blind, ye must needs shun these people and not follow their example, seeing that God hath §50punished them after that fashion. For if ye meddle with their corruptions, God can make you to fall into the same pit well enough. Ye see into what case they be fain: and therefore take heed to your selves, or else it will be an open tempting of God, as though ye sought your own destruction even in despite of him. Nevertheless, we see how men play the beasts in that behalf. For when we have seen GOD correct a man for some offence,§60 by and by we fail not to provoke his wrath in the selfsame sort, that they did which were punished. Indeed we have wit enough to condemn them that suffer the punishment; O it is good right say we, they have well deserved it, they be worthy of such correction. We can skill to talk after that fashion: but in the mean while, when we played the Judges towards other men, we cannot find the fault in ourselves, and therefore must we be double condemned at Gods hand, because our hypocrisy blindeth us, and we look not into our selves to correct our own misdoings.
And Moses saieth expresly, Beware thou fall not into the snares after them. As if hee shoulde say, If yee bee not starke blinde, yee must needes shunne these people and not followe their example, seeing that God hath §50punished them after that fashion. For if yee meddle with their corruptions, God can make you to fall into the same pitte well ynough. Yee see into what case they bee faine: and therefore take heede to your selues, or else it will be an open tempting of God, as though ye sought your owne destruction euen in despite of him. Neuerthelesse, wee see howe men playe the beastes in that behalfe. For when wee haue seene GOD correct a man for some offence,§60 by and by wee faile not to prouoke his wrath in the selfesame sorte, that they did which were punished. Indeede wee haue witte ynough to condemne them that suffer the punishment; O it is good right say we, they haue well deserued it, they bee worthie of such correction. Wee can skil to talke after that fashion: but in the meane while, when wee plaied the Iudges towardes other men, wee cannot finde the fault in ourselues, and therefore must wee bee double condemned at Gods hande, because our hypocrisie blindeth vs, and wee looke not into our selues to correct our own misdoings.