A17698:2075
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 whereas it is alleged that Jesus Christ used not the material sword to advance his doctrine withal: that is true, and we also bring not the sword in our hand into the pulpit to prove the things that we preach. But let us learn to put a difference between offices, and let us consider how our Lord Jesus Christ came to preach his word, when he would that such as receive it should every man in his own state and calling, follow whatsoever is ordained for him. Now it is true that in the time of our Lord Jesus Christ, the great men of the world clave not to the Gospel, no more than we see them do yet still at this day: but the little ones and weaklings were fain to be chosen, thereby to beat down the pride of the world, as Saint Paul avoweth in the first to the Corinthians. Ye see (sayeth he) that there be not many noble men,1 men of power, or wise men among you. And why? For men ⟨p. 538⟩are but too much given to the advancing of themselves: and if God had begun at the great ones, the little ones should have seemed as nothing. But God meant to beat down all pride, that men might learn to challenge nothing to themselves. Notwithstanding howsoever the case stand, when the great ones are called to the service of God, then must they employ themselves in the things that belong to their charge. For the things that I alleged out of Isaiah, David,§10 and diverse other Psalms, belong to the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the state of the Christian Church. Therefore must we needs conclude, that our Lord will have Princes and magistrates to use the sword that is given them, to the maintenance of his honour, and of the unity of faith and good agreement; so as if any man raise up trouble or go about to sow darnel, he may be rooted out. But is not that punishment too rigorous? [Yes:] for some will §20well enough grant (as constrained thereunto) that it is good that heresies should be repressed: but that it were too great an extremity to proceed so far as to punish them with death. Yea, but (as I said afore) we must esteem Gods honour as it deserveth. For if we would that deceivers should be reproved, so as they might not have their mouths open, and yet that they should not be utterly suppressed as were requisite: