A17698:4286
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.
Gods will therefore is that we now §10should be his household, and that we should be gathered together into his Church and flock, until he take us into his kingdom. Now if in stead of honouring him, and of yielding him his due service, we become unruly folk, given over to all lewdness, and moreover do match the same with wilful stubbornness, so as there is no mean to bring us back into the way of salvation: think we that our Lord will not be revenged of such unthankfulness.
Gods will therefore is that we nowe §10shoulde bee his householde, and that we should bee gathered together into his Church and flocke, vntil he take vs into his kingdome. Nowe if in steede of honouring him, and of yeelding him his due seruice, we become vnrulie folke, giuen ouer to all leawdnesse, and moreouer doe match the same with wilfull stubbornesse, so as there is no meane to bring vs backe into the way of saluation: thinke wee that our Lorde will not bee reuenged of such vnthankefulnesse.
Furthermore let us not think it strange, that the young babes are here spoken of. For as touching maids that are to be married, young men, and old folks: if a nation be corrupted, and the mischief have once overflowed his banks (as they say:) they also must needs be infected as well as the rest, and the world sees it is so. For when old men are once sopped in naughtiness, and inured by custom §30to offend God: they will rather have their skins plucked off from their backs a thousand times if they had so many skins, than once to be reclaimed. For they become so blockish, or else so enraged, that their is no way to deal with them. As for young folk, we see they be as it were set on fire to make war against God. Again, wheresoever wickedness reigneth, and all things are perverted: there the young women become as wild as Roes, so as there remaineth not any §40honesty, and much less any fear of God in them. This is apparent to all men. And therefore it is not to be wondered at, though God do threaten both young and old. But as touching little babes, that may seem the more cruelty, because they have not offended like the others. For will God punish the guiltless? Doth he not say by his Prophet Ezekiel, that the parties which have sinned shall bear their own punishment,