A17698:4432
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.
Now in the end it is said yet again unto Moses, That he sanctified not Gods name among the children of Israel, and therefore he should see the Land, even the Land which God had given to his people. Here we have to mark, that it is not enough for us to abstain from doing evil: but that we must also sanctify Gods name, when we see men misuse it through their lewdness. And in very deed, the chief thing that God requireth,1 is that his name should be sanctified: for it is the first petition which we make. And by that order, our Lord Jesus Christ showeth us full well, that we must begin at that point; as for example when he saith, First seek ye the kingdom of God, what doth that signify?2 That we should seek to exalt God, that all the world should obey him, and that his majesty should be known, to the end that all praise of wisdom, righteousness, goodness, and power might be attributed unto him. That is the thing whereunto every of us ought to put his endeavour. True it is that we ought in deed to sanctify the name of God, that is to say, to dedicate our selves every man for himself to this service, so as his glory may shine forth in us: but yet is not that enough. For we shall see men unhallow the name of God, some by blaspheming him, and some by rushing out into all vices and enormities. Now therefore when we see such things, our zeal ought to be kindled to withstand them to the uttermost of our power, & to show that we desire nothing more, than that God should be honoured, and abide unimpaired, so as men should not abridge him of any thing. When we have this zeal, then shall we sanctify Gods name, not only in our own souls and bodies, but also even among those which do so unhallow and defile it. And for that cause are we commanded to be as burning Cressets in the midest of a froward & crooked generation.3 When we dwell among the unbelievers and enemies of Gods word, or among such as despise it and make no account of it: then in stead of our accustomed seeking of vain excuses, with, I would fain serve God, ⟨p. 1183⟩but there are so many corruptions, that I must needs howl among wolves as they say: then (say I) is the time for us to strain ourselves so much the more, and to enforce our selves to sanctify the name of God. And where? Even in the midst of those among whom we be conversant.