A17698:864
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.
But it is not enough for us to refrain from perjury: it behooveth us also to look that our oaths be sober, and that Gods name be not tossed among us like a tennis ball: but that necessity may excuse us in our using thereof. And forasmuch as by our swearing we give to understand that GOD hath all superiority over us: therein we see that the oaths which are made by creatures are wicked and proceed of superstition. As for example, whereas in the Popedom men swear by S. Antony or by S. John: it is all one as if they made idols of them. And why so? For we must always bethink us of this saying of the Apostle which I alleged afore, namely that by our swearing by the name of God, we avow him to be our superior, yea and our sovereign Lord. And that is the cause also why God sweareth to confirm us in his promises, or rather to waken us when he seeth us wilful and hardened in our sins, so as we be not afraid of his justice. He sweareth: and by whom? Even by himself. He reserveth that honour to himself, as shall be declared more at large in the 6. Chapter of this book.1 And therefore they that swear by creatures are idolaters. By reason whereof, in speaking of superstitions, the oath is set down as a record to prove that men are turned away from the pureness of the Law.2 The shepherds (saith Jeremiah) which have the charge of leading Gods people,3 must teach them to swear by the name of God: that is to say, to lay away all other oaths, and to intermingle no creatures in that behalf.
But it is not ynough for vs to refraine from periurie: it behooueth vs also to looke that our othes be sober, and that Gods name be not tossed among vs like a tennisball: but that necessitie may excuse vs in our vsing thereof. And forasmuch as by our swearing we giue to vnderstande that GOD hath all superioritie ouer vs: therein we see that the othes which are made by creatures are wicked and proceede of superstition. As for example, whereas in the Popedome men sweare by S. Antonie or by S. Iohn: it is all one as if they made ydols of them. And why so? For we must always bethinke vs of this saying of the Apostle which I alledged afore, namely that by our swearing by the name of God, wee auow him to bee our superiour, yea and our soueraine Lord. And that is the cause also why God sweareth to confirme vs in his promises, or rather to waken vs when he seeth vs wilfull and hardened in our sinnes, so as we be not afraid of his iustice. He sweareth: and by whom? Euen by himselfe. He reserueth that honor to himselfe, as shall bee declared more at large in the 6. Chapter of this booke.