A17698:838
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 if all be well considered, there is no contrariety at all. For in the said text of Ezekiels, GOD meant nothing else but that those whom he punished could not allege innocency, nor say he did them wrong in using rigour against them, but that every one of them should find themselves guilty, so as he himself should be justified, and they well perceive that he went not beyond measure and reason. And this is very certain. For although GOD punish the children for their fathers sakes: yet ceaseth he not to be righteous in such chastisements. For if the children be well examined, they shall find themselves guilty on their own behalf: yea (say I), even though they were but newly borne, and had never done any open fault that were known to the world. For what manner of offspring are we? What bring we with us by nature but utter naughtiness? Ye see then that even infants are sinners aforehand: they be condemned before GOD being yet in their mothers wombs. The evil is not yet perceived: but yet for all that their nature is sinful and froward, they have a secret seed within them,1 and they be already in condemnation, because of the original sin that is come from Adam upon all mankind.
Nowe if all bee well considered, there is no contrarietie at all. For in the saide texte of Ezechiels, GOD meant nothing else but that those whome hee punished coulde not alledge innocencie, nor saye hee did them wrong in vsing rigour against them, but that euerie one of them shoulde finde themselues guiltie, so as hee himselfe shoulde bee iustified, and they well perceiue that hee went not beyonde measure and reason. And this is verie certeine. For although GOD punishe the children for their fathers sakes: yet ceaseth hee not to bee righteous in such chastisementes. For if the children bee well examined, they shall finde themselues guiltie on their owne behalfe: yea (say I), euen though they were but newely borne, and had neuer done any open fault that were knowen to the worlde. For what manner of ofspring are wee? What bring wee with vs by nature but vtter naughtinesse? Yee see then that euen infantes are sinners aforehande: they bee condemned before GOD being yet in their mothers wombes. The euill is not yet perceiued: but yet for all that their nature is sinfull and frowarde, they haue a secret seede within them,1 and they bee alreadie in condemnation, because of the originall sinne that is come from Adam vpon all mankinde.