A17698:130
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.
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 §60seen. For they that are advanced unto honour, do bear themselves on hand that the world was made for them, and for their fair eyes (as they say): and there upon they reject all informations, laws & statutes, and shake off the yoke from their necks, as though they held all things at their own swing, and God is no body at all with them. But yet in this text Moses telleth them, that be they never so great kings & princes, their superiority ought not to diminish the authority of God, that his glory should not continue always unimpaired. Why so? For what else are the princes of the world than Gods officers, to the end that by their means he might be obeyed, and all men do him homage, so as the highest should begin & give example to the lowest? Seeing then that the judgement is Gods: they that pervert the order of government when they be called to do their duty, shall be double blamed. And therefore shall Kings and Princes and all such as are in room of Justice, have a very hard account to make. For if they do amiss, they be not bound alonely unto men, neither have they often dead creatures only▪ but they have violated the majesty of God, and defiled his seat. Why so? Because judgement belongeth unto him, and he reserveth it to himself.
Moreouer also, whereas it is saide that the Iudgement is Gods: that speech importeth another good lesson. True it is that Moses speaketh heere of the roome that Iudges and Magistrates holde: as if hee shoulde say, they haue it not in feesimple or as a Lordship of inheritance, but as an office: and God in setting them in that degree of honour, resigned not his owne maiestie to say, Sirs, you shall reigne with absolute power, and I will henceforth bee no bodie. God