A17698:962
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.
In deed the threat is not expressed here: but yet is it all one, for as much as it is spoken of in other places. Seeing it is said that man is created after the image of God:1 it is not lawful to make any assault upon him. For it were all one as if our Lord should say, ye bid me battle when ye go about to hurt one another after that fashion: for I have printed mine image in you. If a man should but deface the arms §10of a Prince, it were so great an injury as should be punished as a murder. And why? Because it tendeth to the confusion of the state. Behold, Gods image is printed in men, and it is despised: and should not such an outrage be punished double? Yes. Now then let us mark, that God in telling us that we assault him when we do any man wrong, intendeth to show us that that ought to restrain us, or else we be too witless and mad. Yea and to the intent we §20should the better bethink us thereof: our Lord telleth us that a murder cannot be committed, but the land is defiled with it,2 as is declared in another text, where it is said that the shedding of mans blood bringeth such a staining and defiling with it, as can scarcely be wiped out. When there is any speaking of manslaughter, yea though it be done lawfully,3 as in war, which is allowed: yet is it said to be a defiling. And why? To the intent that we §30should learn to abhor the shedding of blood the more. If an enemy be slain in open war, although GOD pardon it because the slayer hath just and lawful cause, and doeth it of necessity: yet notwithstanding it is said still to be a stain, and the doer thereof is said to be defiled. And why is that? To the intent we should know that God hath created us to live quietly together, and that we cannot give a fillip (as they say), but that it is straightways §40a spot upon us, and we be by and by defiled before God. Seeing then that the holy scripture useth all these forms of speech, ought we not to be held the better in awe, to live without doing of any wrong to our neighbours? Yes.