A17698:2395
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 it is not for nought said here again, that when the people were come into the land which had bin promised unto them, they should make them Judges and Magistrates everywhere. This matter hath been expounded already in the first Chapter:1 but yet is it not without cause that GOD ⟨p. 621⟩repeateth it here again. For he intendeth to show that it is to no purpose to have good and just Laws, unless there be men to set them in force and to put them in execution. This hath been told you afore; nevertheless it is requisite that you be put in mind thereof again. For we see how God speaketh of one thing oftentimes, to the intent we should set the more store by it, and think upon it, and not forget it. Even so doth he now confirm the former speech which he had §10concerning Magistrates. And indeed, it is not without cause that the common proverb termeth them the soul or life of the Law. For what are all the laws and statutes of the world? They be but dead things. They be lapped up in paper, and are nothing worth, unless there be men chosen to give them their force & to make them to be obeyed. And so ye see what God meant here in saying that the people should choose. Surely such freedom was a singular gift▪ & we see it is not gram ted §20to all men. Where Princes have sovereignty, they appoint Judges at their own pleasure and liking, and ambition bears all the sway there. In so much that a Courtier which is in credit, shall not only obtain offices for himself, but also cause them to be given to others at his appointment. Nay there is yet greater and more shameful corruption. For offices are set to sale nowadays aswell as all other kind of merchandise. Seeing then that we behold such examples, we §30must needs think it an inestimable gift, when God granteth a people or Nation liberty to choose their own Judges and Magistrates. And verily when God gave that privilege to the Jews, it was a ratifying of his adoption, and of his choosing of them to be his heritage, and that he meant to have them to be in better and more excellent state, than any of their neighbours, who had kings and Princes, and no such freedom at all.