A17698:2529
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.
But here it might be demanded, what is to be said of David, and much more of Solomon, in respect of wives as well as of riches. It cannot be denied but that David had many wives, and as for Solomon, he had many moe, and he seemeth not to have bin blamed in that behalf, for the scripture speaketh but of the turning away of his hart after strange women which infected him with their superstitions and idolatries.1 And as touching gold and silver, we know how it is said §50that David gathered so great a mass of them that Solomons Temple and his palace were builded therewith. Therefore there was a marvellous riches.2 Yea and it is said expressly, that in the reign of Solomon, men made no more account of gold and silver, than of gravel, the quantity thereof was so exceeding great. And there seemeth to be some contrariety in the scripture, in as much as among other things our Lord sayeth that he will cause the gold of Araby and all the riches §60of the world to be brought to Jerusalem.3 And why should he promise that, if he meant not that kings should be rich and wealthy? Nay, it is a figure of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. If this blessing of God be set down as so worthy a thing; how are kings forbidden to gather gold and silver? As touching wives, no doubt but both David and Solomon offended in that behalf, and Solomon most. As for David, he had many wives: and all the excuses that can be alleged, will not be able to justify him before God. But howsoever the case stand, he did it not through inordinate lust. For he had married Michol Sauls daughter, and he could have contented himself with that one wife, if she had not been taken away from him by force. And when she was given to another man, it was lawful for him to take Bersabee.
But heere it might be demanded, what is to be sayd of Dauid, and much more of Salomō, in respect of wiues as well as of riches. It cannot be denyed but that Dauid had many wyues, and as for Salomon, he had many moe, and he seemeth not to haue bin blamed in that behalfe, for the scripture speaketh but of the turning away of his hart after straunge women which infected him with their superstitions and ydolatryes.