A17698:2073
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.
But this was said to the people of old time. Yea, and Gods honour must not be diminished by us at this day: the reasons that I have alleged already do serve as well for us as for them. Then let us not think that this Law is a special Law for the Jews: but let us understand that GOD intended to deliver us a general rule, to which we must tie our selves. In deed it is alleged that when our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world,§30 he advanced not his doctrine by the sword, but rather both he and his were persecuted, and therefore that the right way to maintain the true religion, is not to punish such as set up themselves against it: but rather to hold our selves contented with the spiritual sword, and to use that in our fighting against Satan, so as our unholding of the trueth, be always by sufferance and patience, if the world do persecute it. But let us see whether our Lord §40have excluded and banished Princes and Magistrates and Officers of Justice out of his flock, so as they may not be Christians. No surely. For when he speaketh of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, he sayeth expressly; Ye kings stand you in awe; and ye Judges of the earth,1 humble you your selves, and all of you kiss the Son. Moreover, before he speak to private persons, he willeth expressly that Kings, Judges, and Officers of Justice §50should do homage to our Lord Jesus Christ: then they be called to the knowledge of the Gospel. And in deed, according hereunto it is said in the Psalm, that kings shall come to submit themselves to him that was to be sent to be the redeemer.2 And again that they shall be as foster fathers to the Church, and that Queens shall give her suck; that is to say, that such as have the sword of Justice in their hand, shall take Gods Church into their protection §60to maintain it in the pure doctrine, and in the same Religion that is set down in Gods word. Sith it is so, it is to be concluded, not only that it is Lawful for all Kings and Magistrates, to punish heretics and such as have perverted the pure trueth: but also that they be bound to do it, and that they misbehave themselves towards GOD, if they suffer errors to roost without redress, and employ not their whole power to show a greater zeal in that behalf than in all other things.