A17698:109
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.
Last of all Moses saith, I will set them over you to rule you. He showeth that God had given him authority, & yet a man may see y• he imparted it unto the people, & showed by his doings, as we have seen afore, that he challenged not to himself an inordinate power, but acknowledged that God had bound him to the common weal. So then, Moses hath authority & knows well enough that Gods will was to prefer him above the rest of the people, & yet doth not he abuse his right for all that, but referreth all unto the people. As if he should say, I will but only show the way how to guide, and in so doing I will take the pain to my self, as for the honour, I give it over unto you. And the same mind ought to be in all good magistrates and governors of people, that they may be able to maintain the authority that is requisite: for even to that end also hath God set them up. But howsoever the world go, let them not seek their own profit, but let them endeavour to make themselves fit ministers as near as is possible, always maintaining the chief charge that is committed unto them.
Last of al Moses saith, I wil set thē ouer you to rule you. He sheweth yt God had giuen him authoritie, & yet a man may see y• he imparted it vnto ye people, & shewed by his doings, as we haue seene afore, yt he chalenged not to himselfe an inordinate power, but acknowledged yt God had bound him to the common weale. So then, Moses hath authoritie & knowes well enough that Gods wil was to preferre him aboue the rest of ye people, & yet doth not he abuse his right for al that, but referreth all vnto the people. As if he should say, I will but onely shewe the way how to guide, and in so doing I will take the payne to my selfe, as for the honor, I giue it ouer vnto you. And the same mind ought to be in all good magistrates and gouerners of people, yt they may be able to maintaine the authoritie that is requisite: for euen to that end also hath God set them vp. But howsoeuer the world goe, let them not seeke their owne profite, but let them indeuour to make thēselues fit ministers as nere as is possible, alwayes maintaining ye chiefe charge yt is committed vnto thē.