A17698:129
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 therefore let us bethink us so much the §30better of this doctrine that is set down here, not only for Judges but also for all men in common: [That is to wit,] that forasmuch as the judgement is Gods, we must not in any wise be shaken any more by men, but give God his preeminence, & thrust down all consideration of men, so as if men vex us we set our selves against them, and be not so lewd as to rob God of that which belongeth unto him, to furnish creatures therewithal. Thus ye see what we have to remember here.
Now therfore let vs bethinke vs so much the §30better of this doctrine that is set down here, not only for Iudges but also for all men in common: [That is to witte,] that forasmuch as the iudgement is Gods, we must not in any wise be shaken any more by mē, but giue God his preheminēce, & thrust downe all consideration of men, so as if men vex vs wee set our selues against them, and be not so lewd as to rob God of that which belō geth vnto him, to furnish creatures therewithal. Thus yee see what we haue to remember heere.
Moreover also, whereas it is said that the Judgement is Gods: that speech importeth another good lesson. True it is that Moses speaketh here of the room that Judges and Magistrates hold: as if he should say, they have it not in fee simple or as a Lordship of inheritance, but as an office: and God in setting them in that degree of honour, resigned not his own majesty to say, Sirs, you shall reign with absolute power, and I will henceforth be no body. God §50therefore, when he did thus set men in office, did not for all that diminish his own estate. For he holdeth still the sovereign dominion over all men, and they ought to be but as instruments of his power, and consequently to serve him, and to refer all things unto him. If this doctrine were well known, Kings and Princes would not lord it so licentiously nowadays as they do, and men should have seen another manner of modesty in them at all times than is now