A17698:858
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.
IF we were well advised, we needed not to be taught to yield reverence to our God: for nature ought to lead us thereto. To what end are we created in this world? To what end live we here, but to honour him to whom we be beholden for all good things, and to give our selves to the glorifying of his majesty? That then is the end and whole sum of our life. But in the §10mean season, in stead of honouring our God, and of applying our selves that way: we seem to have conspired the clean contrary. For some of us would have all remembrance of God buried: some despise him and mock him: and othersome blaspheme him with open mouth: so as we show sufficiently, that we know not to what end we live or should live. Now forasmuch as there is this vice in us: God intending to redress the same, telleth us that we ought at leastwise §20to refrain from abusing his holy name: for that is as an unhallowing thereof. And therefore hath he forbidden men to take his name in vain. By these words he meaneth, that we must consider well which is the right and lawful use of his name. Of a trueth we be not worthy to take Gods name in our mouth after any manner at all, for we must remember what the Prophet Isaiah said in his sixth Chapter:1 Lord (quoth he) I have unclean lips, and dwell among a people §30that is altogether defiled. Seeing then that we have nothing but infection and filthiness in us: it is certain that we may not take Gods name [in our mouth,] at leastwise if it were not that God of his goodness were willing that we should use his name, so it be to glorify him withal. Therefore let us mark well, that when as it is said that we shall not take the name of God in vain: our Lord rebuketh us for our unthankfulness, if we have not the skill to use his name as he hath §40given us leave, by following the rule that is set down in his word: for that is the lawful mean whereby we may rightly use the name of God.
IF we were well aduised, we needed not to bee taught to yeelde reuerence to our God: for nature ought to leade vs thereto. To what ende are we created in this worlde? To what ende liue we here, but to honour him to whom wee be beholden for al good things, and to giue our selues to the glorifying of his maiestie? That then is the end and whole summe of our life. But in the