A17698:761
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.
& he showeth the cause thereof in the ninth of Genesis,1 to be for that we be created after his image. He sayeth that the slaying of a man is the doing of wrong to himself. Ye see then that God beareth us such love, that he taketh himself to be wounded and misused in our persons, because he hath made us after his own image. And that ought to be a warrant of his great goodness and loving kindness towards us, to make us to trust wholly unto him & to honour him. And so ye see whereat we ought to begin, when it is told us that God hateth murder and cannot abide it: and therefore that when a man hath slain his neighbour wilfully, that is to say, either through malice, or in quarrelling, or for revenge, or by laying wait for him: he is so detested of God that he is not worthy to live in the world. And in good sooth we see the same by another Law, where god curseth whole countries for suffering of murders.2 For it is said there, that if a dead body be found, search must be made with all diligence, to find out the murderer. Why so? To the intent (sayeth he) that the land be not defiled therewith. We see hereby that if Magistrates and Judges shut their eyes and make no reckoning to punish a murder: it is as a common defiling, which provoketh Gods vengeance upon the whole land. And therefore it standeth them on hand to consider that God setteth great store by mens lives. Again if the doer of the wicked deed be not found: let the Judges (sayeth he) make solemn protestation, in this wise: We have inquired diligently whence this murder should proceed, but we cannot find the doer thereof, and therefore are we clear and guiltless of it before God. And moreover Gods will was that they should offer sacrifice for the same. Now then we see how loathsome wilful murders are before GOD. I call them all wilful murders which are committed through treachery or in rage, or howsoever else it be where there was any enmity or variance afore. Yea & although it be lawful for men to kill their enemies in the wars that are good and holy:3 yet doeth the Scripture use a manner of speech to show us that GOD hath always misliked of murdering. For there it is said of a valiant man, howbeit without blaming of him, that he defiled his hands. Is it so?