A17698:2083
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.
1Had we the zeal in us that is spoken of in the Psalm, that we took the reproach which is done unto GOD, as if it were offered to our selves: this law here were in a manner needless. For every of us would willingly of his own accord endeavour to maintain Gods honour. But now inasmuch as many men think it to be too excessive rigour to put the troublers and §10perverters of religion to death: thereby it appeareth that we despise Gods honour and make no great account of it. For every of us would fain have his own honour maintained, and if any man have stormed against us, we think the time will never come soon enough for us to be revenged. If a man do us any wrong or injury, we would that every man should set himself against it in our defence: but if Gods honour be trampled under foot, we §20let it slip. We see then how cold and unlustie we be, but this unlustinesse of ours deserveth a more shameful name. For if a man suffer his father to be scorned, folk will say he is not worthy to live in the world, because he doeth against his kind. And behold, GOD is as it were torn in pieces by wicked mens advancing of themselves to rend asunder the union of the faith wherethrough it is his will to be known, and whereby it is his §30will to reign among us: and that is borne withal. And is not that a token, that if it lay in us we would never have any remembrance of GOD at all? But forasmuch as there is so little zeal in us; therefore is this Law given us. And GOD declareth that he is not unmindful of his own majesty, but that he will have the defacing thereof to be punished. Nay rather he showeth that he disclaimeth us for his people, if we have not a special regard of §40this case of his.
1HAd we the zeale in vs that is spoken of in the Psalme, that wee tooke the reproch which is done vnto GOD, as if it were offered to our selues: this lawe here were in a manner needelesse. For euerie of vs woulde willingly of his owne accorde indeuour to maintaine Gods honour. But nowe inasmuch as manie men thinke it to be too excessiue rigour to put the troublers and §10peruerters of religion to death: thereby it appeareth that we despise Gods honour and make no greate account of it. For euerie of vs would faine haue his owne honour maynteined, and if anie man haue stormed against vs, wee thinke the time will neuer come soone ynough for vs to bee reuenged. If a man doe vs any wrong or iniurie, wee woulde that euerie man shoulde sette himselfe against it in our defence: but if Gods honour bee trampled vnder foote, wee