A17698:875
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 as for those which have yet so much honesty as to pray unto God, they will well enough say with their mouth, hallowed be thy name: but it is no sooner from their tongues end, but by and by a false oath is in their mouth, and they make Gods name to run too and fro. And what else is such falsehood, than a violating of Gods Majesty, and as a striking of him with a Dagger, or as a spitting in the face of him? Therefore as I have told you already, there needs none other Judge to condemn us for our foolish oaths, than the protestation that we our selves make when we desire GOD to maintain the holiness of his name, and yet in the mean while endeavour to deface it as much as we can.
But as for those which haue yet so much honestie as to pray vnto God, they will well ynough say with their mouth, hallowed be thy name: but it is no sooner from their tongues end, but by and by a false othe is in their mouth, and they make Gods name to runne too and fro. And what else is such falshood, than a violating of Gods Maiestie, and as a striking of him with a Dagger, or as a spitting in the face of him? Therefore as I haue tolde you alreadie, there needs none other Iudge to condemne vs for our foolish othes, than the protestation that wee our selues make when we desire GOD to maintaine the holinesse of his name, and yet in the meane whyle indeuour to deface it as much as wee can.
But now remaineth that we speak of God in all reverence, specially when his works come in talk. As how? In speaking of the weather, be it fair or be it rainy, they be marks of his Majesty. If he send us sad weather, he showeth himself a Judge to make us perceive his displeasure, to the intent to make us enter into the examination of our sins, that we might be sorry for them and be led to amendment. But in stead of humbling our selves before GOD, and of being sorry that we have offended: we become wayward as we see men commonly be, who fall to repining, and say, must this weather last ever? and so we flee not to our GOD, ne ask him forgiveness of our sins. And after the same manner deal we in all other things: for I allege but only one example, to show that when we speak of Gods works, we must either perceive him to be a Father by his goodness, or feel him to be a Judge by his rigour. Therefore whensoever God doeth any thing that misliketh us, and is contrary to our desire and wishing: let us understand that he chastiseth and tameth us,