A17698:2104
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 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.
And let vs marke, that whensoeuer wee falsly pretende the name of God for a colour; our §60fault is doubled in so abusing it, and we become so much the more blame woorthie. As for example, when the Papistes nowadayes doe persecute the faithfull, and vse such excessiue crueltie as they doe: they can welynough say, it is the zeale of God that driueth vs to doe it. If a man haue slayne one or robbed one; very well, hee shalbee layde vppon the wheele. And what shalbee done when Gods maiestie is defaced? Shoulde the partie scape vnpunished? So will they alleage. Yea; but first they shoulde inquire of the case. For like as sometimes men punish giltlesse persons accused of false crymes: so may it well bee (and wee see it by experience,) that Martyres are persecuted in steede of heretikes. Therefore were it meete to looke well to the matter.
But nowadays if a man say that we ought to call upon none but only God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we should not fetch any further compasses after the imaginations of men; by praying to the virgin Mary or other Saints deceased to be our patrons and advocates; but that we ought to hold our selves contented with Jesus Christ, to whom that office is given by God his Father: By and by they cry out, to the fire with him. And how so? It is the pure doctrine of the holy Scripture. Yea, but the church of Rome admitteth it not.