A17698:2126
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.
WE have seen heretofore what §10manner of zeal we ought to have to the maintaining of Gods true service & the pure religion: that is to wit, that we must forget all the friendship of the world, and show that we make more account of the honour of our God, than of all those that are as deer to us as our own souls. But now Moses proceedeth further, and saith that we must use §20such rigour not only against particular persons, but also against whole cities. Now if a whole City ought to be razed for breaking the service of God; what shall be done to any one man? Should he be borne with? Here then we see how Gods honour ought to be preferred before the whole world. And because he had set down a right and pure order to the people of Israel how to do it; his mind was that it should be kept to the uttermost, and that if any man transgressed it, he should be cut §30off; insomuch that if it were a whole people that had done it; they should be dealt withal after the same manner. Now then we see yet better, how careful we ought to be for the preservation of religion in his pureness. True it is that we ought to be always mindful of that which we have said already; namely that it serveth not to excuse idolaters when they be so enraged with zeal without discretion. For we must be sure a forehand, that the religion which we hold is holy, & that §40God alloweth of it, so as it is not a doctrine forged at the pleasure of men, but Gods own will uttered unto us of his own free favour, whereof we have good and infallible record, that if any set himself against it, he must be cut off: yea though it were a whole City. So little ought any private person to be forborne, that even a whole city ought to be destroyed for it.
WE haue seene heretofore what §10manner of zeale wee ought to haue to ye mainteining of Gods true seruice & the pure religiō: that is to wit, that we must forget al ye friendship of the world, and shewe that we make more account of the honor of our God, than of all those that are as deere to vs as our owne soules. But now Moses proceedeth further, and sayth that wee must vse §20such rigour not only against particular persons, but also against whole cities. Now if a whole Citie ought to be rased for breaking ye seruice of God; what shalbe done to any one man? Should he be borne with? Here then we see how Gods honour ought to be preferred before the whole worlde. And because he had set downe a right and pure order to ye people of Israel how to do it; his mind was that it should be kept to the vttermost, and that if any man transgressed it, he should be cut