A17698:986
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.
Now if it behove us to keep both our bodies and our souls undefiled: ought we not also to eschew the occasions that may entice us to whoredom? Yes surely. Let us mark then, that whosoever do give themselves to any looseness, do seek nothing else than to cast themselves into Satan's snares. And although they be not reproved ⟨p. 227⟩for it to the worldward: yet are they whoremasters already before God. Were this well considered: we should see no more of the wantonness in apparel, gesture and words, that is commonly in the world, which taketh too much liberty in that behalf. And when men and women attire themselves of purpose to entice one another and as it were to lay baits of lewdness: are not such doings very tricks of bawdry? In deed their excuse shall be, as for me, I have committed §10no whoredom: but yet they set themselves forth as a pray to Satan, & are willing to draw others with them, as much as they can. Then are they kinds of whoredom before God: and all the looseness and superfluity that is used in apparel and attire, is nothing else but a laying of snares for men. Likewise again there are gestures and words. When a man and a woman haunt one another's company, to open a gap to Satan by acquainting themselves together, so as they may §20be caught in his net, and give themselves over unto him in bondage: it is whoredom before God. And although there be no deed done, no nor any thing fully agreed upon: yet will not God leave such doings unpunished: for it is too manifest that they were attempted. And hereby it appeareth how fond and childish a shift it is to excuse ones self by saying that it is not evil to do this or that, so there be no intent to do evil. As for example, such as delight in daū cing §30and dissoluteness: is that so evil a thing (say they,) so long as there be no whoredom committed? yea truly: It is all one as if they would mock God of set purpose, and blindfold his eyes to buffet him, and in the mean while bid him guess whether it be evil or no. It is well known that dancing can be no better but a prelude to whoredom, to open an entry purposely unto Satan: and a crying out aloud unto him, that he should be bold to come in. That is always §40the very effect and substance of dancing. If thou say, I meant no evil: thou makest God a liar. Behold, S. Paul avoweth that lewd words corrupt good manners.