A17698:3233
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.
Seeing it is so, he which stealeth away a man nowadays, to cut him off from the Church of God, is in as great fault as he who in old time sold any one of the Israelites. And although earthly justice hath established no law against it, yet doth it not cease to be a grievous sin still in the sight of God. Let us therefore acknowledge the §20honour which God vouchsafeth us, when he maketh us of the number of his household, & taketh & alloweth us for his children. Now forasmuch as this is an inestimable benefit, we must endeavour to the utmost of our power to preserve and keep it: and that not every one for himself only; but for his neighbours also. Therefore when we see that God hath assembled & gathered together any company of people to himself, let us seek to keep them so together, as none of them may go astray.§30 And if we be a cause and occasion that the congregation of God be diminished, and that he which was sometime of it, be estranged from it by our means; we see that punishment the law hath ordained. As touching the outward policy and civil order, it remaineth not, yet nevertheless God hath declared that such lewdness shall not abide unpunished. For he will at the least have as great regard unto his house, as every of us would have unto our own houses. And therefore let us learn §40by all means possible to keep them still which are of Gods flock, and to stay men as much as we can from departing from the same. Yea and we know how we be commanded not only to nourish them which are already begotten the children of god, but also to do our endeavour to win them which are strangers: what wickedness then were it to turn them out, which are already received unto the church of God? I mean those which in very deed do show & declare themselves to be the children of god.§50 For we know that there is a regard to be had, that all tag & •ag be not received into the church. For there are many which seek after Christ to have their bodily ease, & there are many deceivers: and if there be no discretion in receiving them in, it were altogether a mocking of god; as we have too many examples in this case. Therefore we have need of wisdom in this behalf.
Seeing it is so, he which stealeth away a man nowadayes, to cut him off from the Church of God, is in as great fault as he who in old time sold any one of the Israelits. And although earthly iustice hath established no lawe against it, yet doth it not cease to be a grieuous sinne stil in the sight of God. Let vs therefore acknowledge the