A17698:2096
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 therefore whensoever Gods honour is darkened or diminished §50among us, let every of us in his state look to it that we be so zealous as to redress it to the uttermost of his power. This is the first point which we have to mark here.
And therefore whensoeuer Gods honour is darkened or diminished §50among vs, let euerie of vs in his state looke to it that we be so zealous as to redresse it to the vttermost of his power. This is ye first point which we haue to marke heere.
And moreover, if any man should go about to alter the Religion, so as GOD should after a sort be driven from among us; it were meet that our zeal should in that case be kindled yet more. For if we be nice in having our own honour touched: what ought we to be when Gods kingdom is in danger of utter §60dispatch? If there be some wicked practise in a City, so as some treason, insurrection or alteration of the state is a brewing, and one having but some secret inkling of it told him in his ear, do conceive it; shall he not be taken as accessory, and be adjudged worthy of punishment? If it be proved against a man that some wicked treason was a practising; and he heard of the matter and yet discovered it not; he shall be punished as a traitor, and men will say he was well worthy of such punishment. And shall we be held excused of our silence, when an insurrection is made against GOD, and men go about to overthrow his holy temple, that he might not dwell any more among us, so as they endeavour to deface his majesty, and furthermore to cast up the salvation of mens souls as a pray to Satan, and we say nothing to it? Doeth not our dissimulation import both treachery and perjury against GOD? Yet notwithstanding there be some so far past shame, that they demand at every turn, Who is he that findeth fault with me? Whom have I wronged? Behold, he hath played the blasphemous and wicked wretch, in flushing out some matter so ugly against GOD, as he ought to be rooted out for it; and yet he says, Who complains of me? If he had stolen but fifteen pence, he should be whipped; and for the second or third offence, he should go to the gallows: and like a Church-traitor he hath trampled Gods majesty under foot, wherein he hath done worse than the thief that cuts a travellers throat, in a wood; and yet to his own seeming he is just still. And whereof cometh this, but of the foresaid laziness, that no man bethinks himself of his duty in that behalf? GOD doeth us the honour to make us maintainers of his trueth, as though he made us a solemn commission of it.