A17698:2453
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.
Nevertheless, we must understand that he will always have pity upon us,1 if we prevent his judgement, & condemn our selves aforehand, acknowledging our selves to be worthy to sink for the idolatry and superstition which we have followed, but that God have pity upon us. But (as I said) we have wherewith to comfort us, because we know that he is ready to receive us to mercy, when we acknowledge our sins, and repair to him after the foresaid manner. That is a thing which we have to mark further, where it is said that if the thing be reported, men must inquire of it.
Neuerthelesse, we must vnderstand that hee will alwayes haue pitie vppon vs,1 if wee preuent his iudgement, & condemne our selues aforehand, acknowledging our selues to be worthy to sinke for the ydolatrie and superstition which we haue followed, but that God haue pitie vpon vs. But (as I saide) we haue wherewith to comfort vs, because we knowe yt he is readie to receiue vs to mercie, when wee acknowledge our sinnes, and repaire to him after the foresaid manner. That is a thing which we haue to mark further, where it is said that if ye thing be reported, men must inquire of it.
Now he addeth, that the party which hath done the misdeed, shall be conveyed out at the gate: and why so? For (saith Moses) he hath committed abomination before the Lord, whether it be man or woman as he had said afore. For it is such a sin as is wicked and grievous in the eyes of the Lord. Wherein he doth us to understand, that we must not judge after our own imagination, whether that deed be worthy of death or no. For it is a thing which beguileth many men, & maketh them to strive against God and to blaspheme his Law: that they will needs give sentence of them selves according to their own opinion. But contrariwise our Lord bringeth us back here to his will. It is evil in my sight (saith he) it displeaseth me; I abhor it. And he telleth us moreover, that we must rest upon his word, saying: I have commanded it. Hereby therefore let us take warning that we judge not at all adventure & with devilish boldness as these gallants do nowadays, which would not have religion to come in judgement for the punishing of blasphemy and such other like things which are committed against the honour of God. To be short, they would not have the Magistrates to sit in judgement upon any fault committed against the first table. If any fault be committed against men, as robbery, riot, murder, or adultery; they be contented that it shall be punished, but if Gods name be blasphemed; if any abomination be committed to the putting away of all fear of god; if heresies spring up to the trouble of the Church, and to the perverting of all order: they would have that to be suffered & excused. And what leadeth them thereto, but the said hellish pride, that when a thing misliketh not them, they think that God should yield to their liking? But therein appeareth their