A17698:3538
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.
and when we be conversant among such folk as are despised to the worldwarde, without alliance, without friends, without succours: let us beware that we deal after such a sort with them, as it may always run in our minds that they be Gods children, and that the heavenly Judge will not forget the wrongs that are done unto them, specially seeing he hath told us here, that those which have bin so cruel to the feeble, shall not escape his curse.
and when wee bee conuersant among such folke as are despised to the worldwarde, without alyaunce, without freendes, without succours: let vs beware that wee deale after such a sorte with them, as it may alwaies runne in our mindes that they bee Gods children, and that the heauenly Iudge will not forget the wrongs that are doone vnto them, specially seeing hee hath tolde vs heere, that those which haue bin so cruell to the feeble, shall not escape his curse.
Now Moses addeth further, Cursed be he which lieth with his fathers wife, Cursed be he which lieth with a beast, with his own Sister, or with his Mother in law. This place treateth of all the infamous sorts of lechery, yea even of the loathsomest sorts of them; whether it be incest or ⟨p. 933⟩buggery or such other infections. And it is not without cause that God chooseth out those kinds; for it is to the end that we should be touched with the more fear and terror when we go about any kind of Lechery. God could have said simply in one word, Cursed shall he be which committeth any lechery: and in very deed, that is the mark whereat this text aimeth. Nevertheless he contenteth not himself so, but (as I said) he chooseth the examples §10which are most outrageous. And why? To the intent we should be touched the more to the quick. For we see how slow we be in hearkening to the things which God telleth us. We have his word; but what for that? It passeth away. We will not stick to say, that it behoveth us to keep our selves from breaking his Law. But if vices be spoken of but in a word or twain, shall they be esteemed as they ought to be, that is to say, as crimes before God which deserve