A17698:2629
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.
Now it is said expressly that such a Prophet shall dye the death. And that is a cause also why our Lord saith, that he will give the said mark. For it were foul treachery to judge & condemn a Prophet without knowing why or wherefore. If a guiltless person should be condemned under colour of some evil deed not uttered: it were too §20great wrong & uniustice to be done to a mortal man. But if a bringer of Gods word be condemned, even as though he had done amiss in his office, without being found faulty: that toucheth not the creature only, neither is the wrong done to a mortal man alone: but it is an outrage done unto God also, & that is high treason to his person. Ye see then that the cause why Moses saith here, that God will discover the false Prophets, is to the end they should be judged, and also to §30warn folk that they should not covet to be foaded with vain hope, as I have told you that the manner of the world is continually to do. The prophets had hard hold from time to time with the most part of the Jews, because they brought nothing but threatenings. These Prophets (quoth the Jews) do trouble us, & are too importunate upon us, they speak of nothing but of Gods wrath & cursings: & should they not as well tell us of gladsome and pleasant things? Those are the §40things which the world requireth. Yea but in so doing we provoke Gods wrath. We would have him to be our friend: & we on our side are enemies to him. If we came to God with true repentance & sought him as our father: we should have no tidings but of peace & prosperity to delight in. But what? We suffer not God to be favourable to us, nor to show his love towards us. For we make war against him as I said afor•. Therefore let us learn that god will turn the sayings of the false Prophets §50to the contrary, so as when they promise folk welfare and peace, mischief shall ensue, whereby they shall be found to have used vain flattery. Wherefore let us not desire to be rocked asleep with mens deceitful speeches. For what shall it boot us to be acquit by them that have no power at all: when we shall be condemned before God? And let us not tarry till God to our cost do bewray the lewdness of the false Prophets, & so we be caught in some calamity. But let us prevent §60