A17698:2398
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.
Furthermore, whereas Moses addeth that they must give just judgement, and govern the people after that manner: it serveth to confirm that which we heard even now, namely (first of all) that men can not govern themselves, except they have superiors to guide them, which thing is plainly expressed concerning the Jews, whom §10God had preferred before all other nations. Let us understand then that of good right we be dispossessed of the freedom which God had set in mankind. For why? We turn the good into evil: and therefore is it meet that we should be bereft of it. A man in health shall have liberty to eat what he listeth, and he shall not be dealt with so precisely: he needeth no Physician to forbid him such a meat, or to restrain him from drinking, otherwise than in such measure §20or at such an hour. But if a man be sick, he must be at obedience, he must keep a diet, he must be held short like a child, and he is restrained of all things that he liketh, in so much that if he command his own servant to bring him this or that, his servant must not be so bold as to do it. Yea and when masters be diseased, they are subject to their servants, so as they cannot enjoy their own goods. And why? Because they be not meet to have them; §30by reason of their disease which overmaistreth them: and therefore are they fain to be as underlings. Even after the same manner standeth the case with us: insomuch that if we were in deed whole and sound, God would guide us after another fashion. But forasmuch as he knoweth us to be so corrupted, he is fain to compel us, yea and to restrain us in such sort, as we have heard of. Thus much concerning the first point.
Furthermore, whereas Moses addeth that they must giue iust iudgement, and gouerne the people after that maner: it serueth to confirme that which wee heard euen nowe, namely (first of all) that men can not gouerne themselues, except they haue superiours to guide them, which thing is plainely expressed concerning the Iewes, whom §10God had preferred before all other nations. Let vs vnderstand then that of good right wee bee dispossessed of the freedome which God had set in mankind. For why? We turne the good into euill: and therefore is it meete that we should bee bereft of it. A man in health shall haue libertie to eate what he listeth, and he shall not bee dealt with so precisely: he needeth no Phisition to forbid him such a meate, or to restraine him from drinking, otherwise than in such measure