A17698:1279
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 that was a goodly thing to make men understand, that God had given so noble and wonderful a victory to his people. All this went well then. Yea, if a man might have believed Saul in his own imagination. But yet in the mean while he is reproved at Gods hand, and both he and his mercy be condemned together, and the king is fain to be slain by another before his face. For he himself was not worthy to be Gods minister, he was bereft §40of that office, and Samuel was put in his room. And afterward it was told him, that the kingdom which he possessed should not descend to his children and posterity, but should be conveyed unto a stranger. We would think this gear very strange, but that it is showed us that Saul was over arrogant in taking upon him to be wiser than he had leave to be: and in that as soon as a foolish toy took him in the head, he followed that rather than the commandment §50of God. And was not that a taking upon him to be wiser than God? And was not that a cursed pride? Yes: and therefore the condemnation which Samuel pronounced upon him was just. For it is meet that God should be glorified, and that we should confess that there is nothing to be amended in him, but that all mouths ought to be opened, and to say: Lord, wisdom, Justice, equity, and virtue, are not to be sought for elsewhere than in thee. And §60therefore let us practise this doctrine in such wise, as we be not more merciful than God will have us to be, or than the rule which he hath given us will bear. For there are that would fain use mercy in mingling white and black together, and in making a hotchpotch of all things, under pretence that wicked persons should go quite and scot-free. And what remaineth more, but that the righteous and good men should be condemned, if the wicked should be so maintained?1 And that is the cause why Solomon saith, that he which quitteth the offender when he sees him guilty, is as much to blame before God, as he that oppresseth the innocent. For our Lord hath ordained, not only that good cases should be maintained: but also that evil dealings should be corrected when they be found.2 And for the same purpose hath he put his sword into the hands of princes, Magistrates, and all other officers of Justice, to the intent that lewdness should not be maintained in the world. Then is there no replying against this.