A17698:837
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.
Moreover God thinketh it not enough to threaten the parties themselves that turn away from this Law through their idolatrousness: he thinks it not enough to tell them that he §60will punish the persons themselves: but he extendeth his vengeance even to their issue also. I am (sayeth he) a jealous God which visiteth the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation. It should seem at the first blush to be unseemly for Gods Justice, that he should punish the children for the offences of their fathers and mothers. And besides that it is utterly against natural reason:1 we see what is said of it in the prophecy of Ezekiel: namely that the party which sinneth shall bear his own burden: so as the son shall no more bear the sin of his father, than the father shall bear the sin of his son. This text then may seem somewhat rough and sharp, yea and to deface the uprightness and equity that is in God: for sin craveth his wages, that is to say the death of him that committeth it. Why then should he dye which is guiltless?2 Again, although this reason were not so evident: yet doeth the holy scripture avow, that God telleth us he will not punish the guiltless children for the sins of their parents. Yea and he rebuketh the Jews for this blasphemy which ran in their mouths, whereof they had made a common proverb: Our fathers have eaten sower grapes, and our teeth are set on edge with it: Gods handling of us thus rigorously is not for any fault of our own committing, for we have lived as we ought to do: but he over reacheth us with the sins of our fathers. After that manner did the Jews grudge against GOD. But he sweareth that such blasphemy shall take place no more.
Moreouer God thinketh it not ynough to threaten the parties themselues that turne away from this Lawe through their idolatrousnesse: hee thinkes it not ynough to tell them that hee §60will punish the persons themselues: but hee extendeth his vengeance euen to their issue also. I am (saieth hee) a iealous God which visiteth the sinnes of the fathers vppon the children, vnto the third and fourth generation. It shoulde seeme at the first blush to bee vnseemely for Gods Iustice, that hee shoulde punish the children for the offēces of their fathers and mothers. And besides that it is vtterly against naturall reason: