A17698:2130
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.
Now this being so, it is said, thou shalt destroy the inhabitants of that City with the edge of the sword. Whereby God showeth (as I have declared already)§20 what affection we ought to bear unto his service. For if we consider what a thing his glory is, it ought to be more deer to us than all the whole world. What see we either in heaven or on earth but little sparks of the power, righteousness, goodness & wisdom which are infinite in God? They be not to be measured: we have but only some little signs and tokens of them in heaven and earth. Therefore it were better that the world should perish ten thousand times, than that Gods glory §30should be defaced. But it falleth out that his glory is conveyed over unto idols, yea & bestowed upon Satan, when his service is corrupted. And therefore it is not for us to fall asleep or to cocker ourselves in this case, as we have bin wont to do, making sale of Gods honour, and letting it pass as though we seemed to count it as a thing of nothing. But contrariwise we see here how he putteth all cities to destruction, if they have defaced his honour. So then let us understand that §40it is not for us to row any more between two streams as we have bin wont to, if we intend to keep our religion unimpaired: but we must see that all Church treasons, that is to say all outrages that are done to the majesty of God, may be punished. Seeing we know and nature teacheth us that robberies, murders, thefts, and all manner of pilfries ought not to be borne with; what shall we do when gods name is blasphemed, all religion turned upside down, and the pure §50doctrine falsified, to thrust folk out of the way and to break the union of faith? Such things are not to be winked at: for they be too heinous crimes.
Now this being so, it is sayde, thou shalt destroy the inhabitants of that Citie with the edge of the sword. Wherby God sheweth (as I haue declared already)§20 what affection wee ought to beare vnto his seruice. For if we consider what a thing his glory is, it ought to be more deere to vs thā all ye whole world. What see we either in heauen or on earth but litle sparks of ye power, righteousnes, goodnes & wisedome which are infinite in God? They be not to be measured: we haue but only some litle signes and tokens of them in heauen and earth. Therefore it were better that the worlde should perish ten thousand times, than that Gods glory