A17698:2103
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.
When we be at that point, we may well with good conscience and safety punish such as seek to turn us away from the trueth. But if we be doubtful and wavering, and go to it but by weening: what will come of it, but that we shall punish innocent persons, as we see the Papists do by persecuting our Lord Jesus in his members? It were better for them nowadays that they killed one another without colour §50of justice, than to persecute the children of God after that fashion. For the matter standeth not upon the punishing of men by taking away their lives, or by shedding of guiltless blood through wicked cruelty: but upon the making of war against the living God, and upon the suffering again of our lord Jesus Christ in his members.
When wee bee at that poynt, wee may well with good conscience and safetie punish such as seeke to turne vs away from the trueth. But if wee be doubtfull and wauering, and go to it but by weening: what will come of it, but that wee shall punish innocent persons, as wee see the Papistes doe by persecuting our Lorde Iesus in his members? It were better for them nowadayes that they killed one another without colour §50of iustice, than to persecute the children of God after that fashion. For the matter standeth not vppon the punishing of men by taking away their liues, or by sheading of giltlesse bloud through wicked crueltie: but vppon the making of warre against the liuing God, and vpon the suffering againe of our lord Iesus Christ in his members.
And let us mark, that whensoever we falsely pretend the name of God for a colour; our §60fault is doubled in so abusing it, and we become so much the more blame worthy. As for example, when the Papists nowadays do persecute the faithful, and use such excessive cruelty as they do: they can well enough say, it is the zeal of God that driveth us to do it. If a man have slain one or robbed one; very well, he shall be laid upon the wheel. And what shall be done when Gods majesty is defaced? Should the party scape unpunished? So will they allege. Yea; but first they should inquire of the case. For like as sometimes men punish guiltless persons accused of false crimes: so may it well be (and we see it by experience,) that Martyrs are persecuted in stead of heretics. Therefore were it meet to look well to the matter.