A17698:869
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.
As touching blasphemy, doth not the world see ⟨p. 197⟩what cometh of it? And yet would we be jealous of our own honesty and reputation, when in the mean season Gods name is trodden under foot among us. If a man have spoken amiss of ones father, he could find in his heart to make a quarrel of it, and either to sew him at the Law, or else much rather to be revenged of him with his own hands, and men bear themselves in hand that they may with honesty maintain the quarrels of their §10parents. Behold, our sovereign Father is injured after the same manner, even the same father who not without cause is named the Lord of glory,1 before whose Son all knees ought to bow, as Saint Paul reporteth to the Philippians, even he shall be so mocked as a man could do no worse to him,2 except he should spit in his face: and yet notwithstanding even they that name themselves Christians, and which pretend in deed to seek his honour,§20 shall be the greatest and horriblest blasphemers of him. But yet for all that, as I said afore, our Lord will not cease to maintain his own honour, (as he himself avoweth.) When he seeth men so heathenish as to deface his Majesty after that fashion, to the uttermost of their power: He maketh a solemn oath that he will be revenged of it. As truly as I live (sayeth the Lord) I will not give mine honour to another.3 And like as he will not have his honour §30conveyed over unto idols: so is it certain that the same saying hath a further reach, that is to wit, that if men do falsely abuse his holy name, they shall feel in what estimation he had it. And therefore let us not look till this be accomplished upon our selves: but let us learn to yield reverence to our GOD, and to him that hath all sovereign Majesty, that is to wit, to our Lord Jesus Christ: and let us learn therewithal, to swear in such wise, as it may §40always be a warrant unto us, that it is he to whom we belong, and that he is our Father, our Maker, and our Judge. Thus ye see what we have in effect to gather upon this text.