A17698:4236
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.
but though an error be once waxen old, yet must not men make a custom of it, neither must they of a wicked custom make a continual law or rule. Lo how men beguile themselves by sticking too stiffly to things that are grown into evil custom. For why? They bear them selves in hand, that if a thing have been used of long time, then it is lawful for men to do it. But an evil custom is nothing else than an error forgrowen. And it is so much the worse and the more to be misliked, because God hath been the grievouslyer offended by it. Wherefore let us beware that we draw not things to a consequence, because they have been abused of long time: but let us still return back to the original.
but though an errour bee once waxen olde, yet must not men make a custome of it, neither must they of a wicked custome make a continuall lawe or rule. Loe howe men beguyle themselues by sticking too stiffely to things that are growen into euill custome. For why? They beare them selues in hande, that if a thing haue beene vsed of long time, then it is lawfull for men to doe it. But an euill custome is nothing else than an errour forgrowen. And it is so much the woorse and the more to bee misliked, because God hath beene the grieuouslyer offended by it. Wherefore let vs beware that wee drawe not thinges to a consequence, because they haue beene abused of long time: but let vs still returne backe to the originall.
And this is a very necessary point for us in these days. For the Papists affirm that the things which we do, are new, and that they were invented but a while ago. Yea, but if we ask them a proof of their antiquity, what say they? That such things have been done now these five hundred years. Truly they lye most commonly with full mouth. For the thing which they hold as chief and most resolute, is not of so long continuance. If ye seek for their confession, or shrift, about a four hundred years ago, there was no law at all thereof. If ye look for their transubstantiation, it is in like case. They make men believe that the bread is no more a material ⟨p. 1130⟩