A17717:216
Sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the.X.Commandments of the Law, given of GodSermons of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the.X.Commandementes of the Lawe, geuen of God
Sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the.X.Commandments of the Law, given of God by Moses, otherwise called the Decalogue. Gathered word for word, presently at his sermons, when he preached on Deuteronomy, without adding unto, or diminishing from them any thing afterward. Translated out of French into English, by I.H.Sermons of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the.X.Commandementes of the Lawe, geuen of God by Moses, otherwise called the Decalogue. Gathered word for word, presently at his sermons, when he preached on Deuteronomie, without adding vnto, or diminishing from them any thing afterward. Translated out of Frenche into English, by I.H.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for John Harison, 1579London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Iohn Harison, 1579
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.
Deut. Chap. 5. 20 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Deut. Chap. 5. 20 Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour.
WE have heretofore seen, that it is not lawful, after what manner soever, to molest and grieve our neighbours, either in their persons, or yet in their goods. But because there is yet an other kind of hurting by the tongue, God would also make mention hereof in his law, as we see in this place. Therefore, as before he hath forbidden us, to commit any outrage against our neighbours, which thing he hath comprehended under this word of murder, not to trouble or annoy them in what sort soever, or to hurt them in their goods: so here he showeth us, that we ought to speak no evil of them, that we must use no talk which may be to stain them with any blot of infamy, or any evil and wicked note. True it is, that expressly he speaketh of bearing false witness, but this is, according to the rule we have before set down: namely, that he proposeth those things, which ought to be most of all detested: for this end, that we should abhor those sins, which any way come near them. If we therefore speak evil of our neighbours, if we slander them, albeit this be accounted no grievous sin before men: yet God shall esteem it as heinous as bearing of false witness. But one may make here a question, why God hath in this place spoken ⟨p. 78⟩of bearing false witness, & of perjuries, seeing he hath said before, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain? For it seemeth hereby, that this is but a superfluous repetition. And in one so little summary of the law, where there are but ten sentences, to reiterate, and put down one thing twice, it seemeth not good or convenient. But we must note for answer hereunto, that the commandment which we have before expounded, of not taking the name of God in vain, was in the first table, where God had respect unto the majesty of his name, to the end we might have it in greater reverence. Therefore, when we speak of God, let us consider of the infinite glory which is in him, that we open not our mouth at any time, but in fear and humility. So then, be it we are to swear, be it that we are to speak of God in any manner, we must always think, that his name ought to be had in reverence, that we must not use it at random, rashly, or unadvisedly. Thus much then touching that we have before seen. Now God speaketh of an other thing: