A17698:862
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 as for them that swear to no purpose and unadvisedly: they show well enough that they make none account of God, and that they do but dally with him. In deed they protest the contrary: they can well enough say that their intent is nothing so: but that is but hypocrisy: for the deed it self showeth sufficiently that they bear no reverence unto GOD. If we §20have a mortal man in estimation, we will not take his name in vain, we would not that men should make a babbling of it, or intermeddle it with scornful and scoffing words. Nay we would take that in reproach. And would we have more privilege than the living God? We be wretched carrions and dung: and yet would we be had in honour and estimation, and that our God should be our underling? We see then that there are very few of good religion nowadays §30in the world. Although a great number pretend to be Christians: yet they never wist what it is to worship God, or to do him homage, or to yield him the service that belongs unto him. For how doeth Gods name trot about? Men cannot bargain for a quart [of wine,] but some oath must be rapt out with it. If Gods honour were esteemed among us: surely we would abstain from such needless oaths: nay rather we would abhor them. And yet §40nowadays men make but a sport of them, and if a man be rebuked for his swearing, he thinks he hath great wrong done him. If there be any talk that is not for a mans profit, he will be weary of it and grieved at it, yea and find fault with it: but if any of us be so zealous to Godward, as to be grieved at the abasing of his name: by and by a quarrel is picked to him, they despite him, and gnash their teeth at him. But seeing that the world taketh so fast hold of the despising §50of GOD, and is so hardened in it: it is a sign that there is no more knowledge of his majesty.
Nowe as for them that sweare to no purpose and vnaduisedly: they shewe well ynough that they make none account of God, and that they doe but dally with him. In deede they protest the contrarie: they can welynough say that their intent is nothing so: but that is but hypocrisie: for the deede it selfe sheweth sufficiently that they beare no reuerence vnto GOD. If wee §20haue a mortall man in estimation, wee will not take his name in vaine, wee woulde not that men shoulde make a babling of it, or intermeddle it with scornefull and scoffing words. Nay we woulde take that in reproch. And would wee haue more priuiledge than the liuing God? We bee wretched carions and dung: and yet would wee be had in honour and estimation, and that our God shoulde be our vnderling? We see then that there are verie fewe of good religion nowadayes