A17698:865
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.
Furthermore whereas the name of GOD is mentioned: let us mark that it is not the only speaking of that word, that is forbidden us: but that we must have a regard to the substance of it, as I have said already. God is not a sophister to use trifling subtleties towards us: but he hath an eye to the deed it self. There are that will not swear expressly by the name of GOD: but yet they cease not to be faulty and offenders. For we must refer our selves to that which our Lord Jesus Christ speaketh in the fifth of saint Matthew. When ye swear by heaven (saith he) is it not the seat of the living God?1 If ye swear by his temple: is it not the place where his majesty resteth? Then if we think we shall not be condemned, so we express not the name of God: it is a•fondnesse. Let us not beguile our selves therewithal: for it is too childish an excuse. For why? Doeth not the heaven bear a representation of Gods Majesty? ⟨p. 196⟩Ye see then that his glory is thereby diminished. As much is to be said of the earth. For it is his footstool, as Jesus Christ avoucheth in the forealleadged text. Wherefore let us learn in few words, that we must yield such reverence to the name of God, as to put away all oaths from among us, saving so far forth as necessity requireth, and as God giveth us leave to borrow his name. And moreover, let us always follow this, to keep this simplicity §10in our talk, to say it is so: assuring our selves that whatsoever is more, is evil and condemned by the law,2 that is to wit, if we take the name of God in vain. And indeed there is a double mischief to be seen in all needless oaths, and wherein Gods name is not honoured as it ought to be. For when men let them fly so at all adventure: it is a token that they pass not what they say. Again, whereof cometh it, but only of this, that folk are so full §20of lying and deceit, as no man can believe that which is said to him, when one speaks to another? Needs must there be great frowardness and naughtiness among them. Whereas God hath given us a tongue, it is partly to the intent we should common one with another thereby: for it is as ye would say the messenger of the heart, so as thereby we express the things that we have conceived in our mind. We see then that needless oaths