A17698:2133
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.
Moreover we must hear what a simple shift it is to allege pity, when men mar all things by giving cause of offence. For what kind of pity is it to spare two or three to cut the throats of a whole nation? On the contrary part, if they §10that be so wickedly bent, be repressed that they may no more have their own swing, but rather be utterly rooted out: it is a purging of the whole nation, it is a healing of a common sore. So then if we love the welfare of all men, let us not give head after that sort to such as entice men to forsake the right way. But we must go back again to the matter which I have spoken of already, and which Moses goeth forward withal still in this text: to wit, that the §20worst corruption which can befall a nation, is to have despisers of God that falsify the true religion, or to have upholders of Satan that lead men into superstition and idolatry, to abolish the pure doctrine and the trueth which they had received. True it is that if there be gluttons, drunkards, whoremongers, and such other like folk, it is an infection that is well worthy to be feared, & meet to be redressed out of hand, least the mischief grow too strong:§30 But as for those that put all things out of order, showing themselves to be bent to spite God, and to make men to yield no more reverence to his majesty: it is as a gathering of all sins together into one heap, and a packing of them up in one bundle. For there can be nothing pure when Gods service in taken away, and when men walk not in his fear, all other things must needs be out of order. For the knowing of God and the worshipping of him as he deserveth,§40 is the very bridle that holdeth men in all holiness and honesty. But if men turn their backs upon him, they must needs play the beasts, and their life must needs become so loose and loathsome, that a man shall see as it were a gulf of hell among them. And therefore not without cause are we so straitly commanded in no wise to bear with men, when they become wicked and go about to inveigle folk to do service to idols. Let us mark then,§50 that if we be desirous to live as we ought and in good concord; we must above all things have Gods service in estimation, as the thing wherein it behoveth us to use severity and rigour, or else all will go to wreck and confusion.