A17698:985
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 we must mark likewise how it is said,1 that no man must deceive himself through vain words: for by reason of such things Gods wrath cometh upon the unbelievers. It is not now of late that men begin to flatter them selves, and to bear themselves in hand that it is not so great and deadly a sin, to commit whoredom. Nay we see how these scoffers do scorn God, terming whoredom a natural sin, and a matter of small importance. There are some such filthy swine which speak after that fashion. Now for that cause S. Paul saith, let no man deceive you. Such scoffs flew abroad in the mouths of the despisers of God even at that time, and many were blinded with them, after the manner of the world, which is to be given to selfsoothing. Let no man beguile ye with such lies, saith S Paul. Why so? For whoredom is a detestable thing before God, as he showeth by the punishments which he hath sent for it,2 as S. Paul noteth in the tenth chapter of the first Epistles to the Corinthians. There he allegeth this example, that a great number of men were slain for whoredom: whereby it appeareth that God cannot abide it. For the life of man is precious in Gods sight, as was showed yesterday: they be creatures fashioned after his own image. Seeing then that a two or three and twenty thousand men were so dispatched, & God destroyed such a number of his own images, that is to say of yt creatures that he had made: is it not to be said that there was a terrible fire of his vengeance kindled? Yes: and wherefore? Even for whoredom. Then let us conclude that it is not for us to deceive our selves, as though it were a light fault and easy to be pardoned, seeing that our Lord, who is not overrigorous, did punish it so sore: but rather let us assure our selves, that we must come to account for it before the heavenly Judge. When men have pardoned us never so much, and we be of opinion that such manner of uncleanness and filthiness is but a sport: then must God set to his hand. Therefore let us have an eye to him and to the examples that he giveth us, that we may continue under his fear, and endeavour the earnestlyer to keep our selves from all spots. And so ye see in effect how this sieveth commandment of the law is to be understood: namely that we must not defile our selves with any unchastity or unstayednesse.
Furthermore we must marke lykewise howe it is sayd,