A17698:3282
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.
no no, this proverb shall be no longer used in Israel, That the fathers have eaten sower grapes, & the children's teeth are set on edge: for he which sinneth shall bear his own burden, & the chastisement of his offence. We see then that God doeth so punish the sins of the fathers upon the children, that notwithstanding all are culpable, and there is not one which hath a sufficient excuse to ask a reason why God punisheth him. And if any allege that he corrected Davids fault by causing the child to die which was begotten by ⟨p. 862⟩him, it is answered (as I have already touched) that God will sometimes punish the children for the fault of their fathers, but this is after his own manner which is incomprehensible unto us, that is to say, that he doth nothing but justly and uprightly. We shall not always see the cause why he doeth it, for we have already declared that our wits are over gross and dull to enter into the bottomless gulf of Gods judgements. But howsoever the case stand, we must vouchsafe §10him so much honour as to confess, that when he punisheth the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, he doeth it on good right. And how? Will we say: It is not for us to enquire beyond our measure: Let us content ourselves with this, that Gods goodness is an unblameable justice, and in the mean while let us walk as he hath commanded us. Let us not say: he doth this, and why may not we do the like? Yea: but what are we? For GOD §20knoweth his rule full well; but we for our part had need to be held in awe and under subjection: and if we would be at liberty to do what seemed good to ourselves, there would be too too great confusion. Ye see then what we have to bear in mind, when it is said in this place, that the father shall not be punished for the child's fault, nor the child for the fathers: but that he which offendeth shall bear the punishment of his offence himself. Now we §30are warned also by the way, not to entangle ourselves in the condemnation of those which have offended. For many are of opinion that they discharge not their duty, except they maintain an other mans wickedness. Oh, [say they] he that hath done this offence is my neighbour, or my cousin, or I know not what.
no no, this prouerbe shall be no longer vsed in Israel, That the fathers haue eaten sower grapes, & the childrens teeth are set on edge: for he which sinneth shall beare his owne burden, & the chastisement of his offence. We see then that God doeth so punish the sinnes of the fathers vppon the children, that notwithstanding all are culpable, and there is not one which hath a sufficient excuse to aske a reason why God punisheth him. And if any alleadge that he corrected Dauides fault by causing the childe to die which was begotten by