A17698:2446
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.
1WE have seen heretofore, that if there were either man or woman which went about to counsel others to pervert the service of God: they should die for it. Now here is a Law, yet more sharp: that is to wit, that if there be any idolater found among the people, whether the same be man or woman, it must cost the party his head and his life, yea though he have not gone about to corrupt §10others or to entice them to lewdness. Truly this seemeth rough dealing at the first blush, as we see how they blame God for using such severity against such as upon devotion did any act contrary to his trueth. Because we weigh not Gods honour as it is worthy, we make greater account of a mortal creature than of the living God. For if a man have practised against his Prince, or gone about to alter the public state: he shall be condemned to death without any §20sticking. Again, if a man be understood to have had secrete conference with his Princes enemy, to have showed him favour, or to have conspired with him; no body will excuse such disloyalty: and yet for all that, all this dealing is but against men. But if a man turn away from the serving of God to gad after idols: men think he ought to be borne withal, as though it were a thing of nothing. Whereby we bewray, that we pass not for the diminishing of §30Gods honour, or for the defacing of his majesty. But we be no competent Judges in that case. Therefore let us remember what is said here, and not think that God passed measure, when he did set such price upon his honour.
1WE haue seene heretofore, that if there were either man or woman which went about to counsell others to peruert the seruice of God: they shoulde die for it. Nowe here is a Lawe, yet more sharpe: that is to wit, that if there be any ydolater founde among the people, whether the same bee man or woman, it must cost the party his head and his life, yea though hee haue not gone about to corrupt §10others or to intice them to leawdnesse. Truely this seemeth rough dealing at the first blush, as we see howe they blame God for vsing such seueritie against such as vppon deuotion did any act contrarie to his trueth. Because wee wey not Gods honour as it is worthy, wee make greater account of a mortall creature than of the liuing God. For if a man haue practised against his Prince, or gone about to alter the publike state: hee shall be condemned to death without any