A17698:2455
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.
Furthermore he expressly sendeth us back to his word, to the intent we should see it proved to our faces, that they which are such idolaters ought not to be excused: for they make war against God. And is the crime of rebellion a venial sin? Is it a fault that may be pardoned, without making any countenance of doing any thing to it? If a man do of wilful malice rebel §20against his father or his mother, his master or his superior: it shall be throughly weighed, and continually aggravated to double & treble the fault. And shall a man be so rebellious against God as to defy him, and to do quite contrary to his will and intent: and should we still cocker and flatter them that have so grievously offended? We see that our Lord speaketh but only to such as have bin duly taught his will aforehand. For he said not to the heathen, or the unbelievers, I §30have commanded you this, or I have forbidden you that. No. And therefore this law must concern a people that hath received Religion afore, and among whom some certain rule is set down and stablished. Now then, when God hath once commanded one thing and forbidden another, and hath told us that his will is so: what remaineth more for us, but to frame our selves thereafter? And as for those that refuse his yoke, can they say it is through §40ignorance, and through some fond devotion? Indeed it may well be so: but yet there lieth another crime shrouded underneath, namely the contempt of Gods word; yea there lurketh secrete malice, hypocrisy, and pride: and all these (say I) are mingled together. Therefore must all excuses cease, and we must acknowledge that all such as have been duly trained in the word of God, are less excusable than the ignorant.
Furthermore he expresly sendeth vs backe to his word, to the intent wee should see it proued to our faces, that they which are such ydolaters ought not to bee excused: for they make warre against God. And is the crime of rebellion a veniall sinne? Is it a fault that may bee pardoned, without making any countenance of doing any thing to it? If a man doe of wilfull malice rebell §20against his father or his mother, his master or his superior: it shalbe throughly weyed, and continually aggrauated to double & treble the fault. And shall a man be so rebellious against God as to defie him, and to doe quite contrarie to his will and intent: and shoulde we still cocker and flatter them that haue so grieuously offended? We see that our Lord speaketh but onely to such as haue bin dulie taught his wil aforehād. For he sayde not to the heathen, or the vnbeleeuers, I