A17698:2693
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.
he should be convicted of them by order of law. This is a sin that lieth still in covert. Now of all this while (as it is said in Genesis) the party may go forth where he will,1 & wander in his own affection; but his sin is still at his door, & watcheth him surely for going out. God then letteth men take their pleasure after that fashion for a time; & afterward bewrayeth them when it pleaseth him. And we see examples hereof as I said afore. There are some other sins which come to §10knowledge at the first push, as though God had sifted them out. Therefore we must mark this rule, that we may bridle our selves, and not be too hasty to judge, but tarry patiently for the convenient time. Also we have to follow the rule which our Lord Jesus Christ giveth us;2 namely that if any man have done amiss towards us, we warn him secretly; & that if he receive not our warning we take two or three witnesses to us, that in their mouth the thing may be the §20better stablished. Now it is certain that in that place our Lord speaketh of the faults that are unknown: for if there be an open offence given, so as the party may be openly convicted: it is not meant that I should say to him secretly in his ear, Sir you have done amiss. We see that our Lord Jesus Christs meaning was nothing so. As for those that allege that text nowadays when they have offended in the open face of the world, and say, Why do ye not warn me of it secretly §30between you & me? [We answer them,] & why did not you hide your self to do your naughtiness out of sight? Thou comest hither to poison a whole street; & thou wouldest have me to draw thee aside into some corner to tell thee of thy fault. We see a number of these nice persons which know not one word of the gospel more than this text; & yet they do falsify that too. Our Lord speaketh there of the sins that are unknown, & whereof they have no witnesses. Therefore §40it behooveth us to follow the order which we hear in that behalf. When a man hath done amiss & there is none to bear witness of it, he must be admonished secretly, & have his fault laid afore him: & if he be wilful, then must I take two or three witnesses with me, & prove it to his face: for otherwise it cannot be done. If we were so dealt with, we should not be so lusty as we be, at leastwise as a number of us are: