A17698:3254
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.
So then let us note, that although it was lawful for the Jews as touching earthly justice, to take any gage they listed; yet doeth God condemn it for intolerable cruelty. And if this were in the time of the law; how much greater reason is there for the practising of it §30nowadays, when we have more occasion of exercising such humanity and gentleness one towards another? For we must return unto this principle & ground, that Gods will is that we should resemble him, because he hath adopted us for his children, and showed himself to be our father. God hath in deed always showed himself such a one: but at this day in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, he hath displayed and shown forth the bowels of his mercy,1 as §40the scripture speaketh: for it cannot sufficiently express the infinite bounty and goodness, which God hath showed unto us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Sith it is so that God hath made us to feel more than ever heretofore his inestimable love, so much the more ought we to enforce ourselves on our side, to follow him, & to conform our selves unto his example. Therefore if we be so cruel as to let them dye for want & need, which desire and seek after our help: or §50if we spoil them of that which they cannot forbear and live; there is so much the less excuse for us, and our sin is double and far more heinous nowadays. And therefore let us know that God spake not only unto the Jews for the time of the law, but that this rule must abide in full force, until the end of the world: and that as this sentence was alleged by our Lord Jesus Christ: That mercy is better than sacrifice: to show that it appertaineth §60unto the Christian Church, so all the kinds of mercy which are dependant upon it, are belonging unto us: and we must exercise mercy, not according unto our own fancy, but as God showeth us, according to the declaration thereof which we have in this place. For what else is this law which Moses hath here set down in writing, but an exposition of that sentence which the Prophet hath more generally set down? Ye see then in effect what we have to bear in mind.
So then let vs note, that although it was lawfull for the Iewes as touching earthly iustice, to take any gage they listed; yet doeth God condemne it for intollerable crueltie. And if this were in the time of the lawe; how much greater reason is there for the practising of it