A17698:2129
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 to the end that men should not dally after that sort with God; it is said expressly that inquisition should be made, that the matter should be examined, and information duly taken. And therefore let Justices understand, that they shall not go quit, but that God will hold them guilty, for neglecting their duty, if they do not what they can to bring matters to light, when they hear any complaint or any brute of them. Nevertheless our Lords meaning is not that men should judge at all adventure, but that the crime should be duly proved whether it be so of a truth in deed. He useth two words to show that a Judge ought not to be led by bare suspicion to conclude what he listeth. For we must be fain to bear with the evil when it is not known, because God hath not yet brought it to light. As for example, there be some sins (saith S. Paul) which make hast to come to their condemnation;1 and we see that God doth so thrust and drive some wicked men forward, that they run a head into mischief. ⟨p. 548⟩For sometimes it is Gods will to humble us by making our offences known, that we may feel them and be sorry at the heart for them. Yea & [sometimes again] a man knows not at what end to begin, but is letted that he cannot punish, because he findeth no mean how to do it. Therefore a Judge must be discreet and mild, that he give not sentence upon bare conjectures, but that he first of all do see the matter substantially proved. Now then, here are two notable things:§10 the one is that we must not be reckless, but diligent in searching out of things, that the evil may be discovered & not nourished. The other is, that we should not judge rashly, but that the matter should be well known and throughly brought to light, before me come to give definitive sentence of it, so as our judgement may be ripe & settled.
Now to the end that men should not daly after that sort with God; it is sayd expresly that inquisition should be made, that the matter should be examined, and information dewly taken. And therfore let Iustices vnderstand, that they shall not goe quit, but that God will hold them giltie, for neglecting their duetie, if they do not what they can to bring matters to light, when they heare any complaint or any brute of them. Neuerthelesse our Lords meaning is not that mē should iudge at al aduenture, but that the crime should be duly proued whether it be so of a truth in deede. He vseth two wordes to shew that a Iudge ought not to be led by bare suspition to conclude what hee listeth. For wee must be faine to beare with the euill when it is not knowen, because God hath not yet brought it to light. As for example, there be some sinnes (sayth S. Paul) which make hast to come to their condemnation;