A17698:2452
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.
Secondly let us mark, how it is not said that all idolaters in general should be punished: but only such idolaters as live in some Church of §40God where order is set already, and where Religion is certainly stablished, and things are sufficiently known. For then, if any man do wilfully play the naughtipacke, and forsake the pure serving of God, and defile himself with idolatry and superstition: that person deserveth death. Besides this, let us mark well, that (as I said heretofore) if we be not punished before men, we must early or late come to account before God: and there we shall find that we have §50deserved, not only to be stoned, but also to be utterly banished from the everlasting salvation. And why? Because we were baptised in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, even before we knew any thing at all. True it is that we have been mistaught: but that excuseth not our disobedience, but that we our selves to the uttermost of our power, have falsified our baptism: for we have been corrupted with idolatry. So then, our Lord might with good right thrust us quite §60out of his kingdom, and he could do it well enough: nevertheless we see how he hath gathered us home to him. Now therefore let us bethink us of the state wherein we have been: & being ashamed of our selves, let us crave pardon at Gods hand. And as I have said afore, let us not be ashamed to confess our selves to be wretched offenders, that God may use no violence against us, nor enter into the rigour of his judgement towards us. And that is the cause why it is said in Ezekiel, Thou shalt remember thine own ways,1 and be ashamed of them. For there God speaketh of the repentance of such as had been deceived for a time by idolatry: declaring that when they were brought again into the right way of salvation, they ought to be very mindful of the evil which they had committed, yea they ought to think upon it with shame and confusion. That is the thing which we have to bear in mind. So that although God draw not his sword, to punish our bodies: yet fail we not to be guilty and damnable before God.
Secondly let vs marke, howe it is not said that all ydolaters in generall should be punished: but onely such ydolaters as liue in some Church of §40