A17698:119
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.
And herewithall let us mark also, that if they be so greatly bound unto men: much more straitly, are they bound unto God. If a man be grieved in a matter of five shillings or less, and the justice cause him not to have right: we see what is said here. But now, if the name of God be blasphemed, if his honour be defaced, if wicked and detestable things be done, and they that sit in the seat of justice and bear the sword in their hand withstand it not, but are careless what injury be done unto God: are they to be excused? No: for if they suffer but a poor man to be trodden done, so as he have but one penny loss: they shall be blamed for it before God. But yet much more precious is the Majesty of God, and the thing that concerneth his honour and service. Sith it is so, that Magistrates be bound to minister right to every man, in things that are small and in manner of no value: let us mark well that they ought in any wise to procure the maintenance of Gods honour, more carefully without all comparison, specially when the case concerneth the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereunto all the whole world is not to be compared, in as much as Gods glory shineth forth there. And that is the second point which we have to mark upon this strain.
And herewithall let vs marke also, that if they bee so greatly bounde vnto men: much more straitl, are they bound vnto God. If a man be grieued in a matter of fiue shillings or lesse, and the iustice cause him not to haue right: we see what is sayd here. But now, if the name of God bee blasphemed, if his honour bee defaced, if wicked and detestable thinges bee done, and they that sitte in the seate of iustice and beare the sworde in their hande withstand it not, but are carelesse what iniurie bee done vnto God: are they to bee excused? No: for if they suffer but a poore man to bee troden done, so as he haue but one penny losse: they shall bee blamed for it before God. But yet much more precious is the Maiestie of God, and the thing that concerneth his honour and seruice. Sith it is so, that Magistrates bee bounde to minister right to euery man, in thinges that are small and in maner of no valew: let vs marke well that they ought in any wise to procure the maintenaunce of Gods honor, more carefully without al comparison, specially when the case concerneth the kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ, wherevnto all the whole world is not to bee compared, in as much as Gods glorie shineth forth there. And that is the second point which we haue to marke vpon this streine.