A17698:2399
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.
Again for the second, Moses declareth and setteth forth that which I said concerning choice making: namely that in the seat which GOD hath dedicated to himself, no such persons must be put, as turn all things upside down. For if such be chosen for public Magistrates, as lead a wicked trade, as in whom there is no fear of God, no honesty, no uprightness, but wildness, wantonness, and disorder; or in whom there is no more wisdom than in Asses, but to be short §50are mad-brained or frantic: if such (I say) be set in place of public office; it is not a dishonouring of men, but a working of high treason against God, because it is a defiling of his seat. So then it behoveth us to weigh well how Moses saith he ere, that when it cometh to the choosing of Officers, men must not set up Idols, nor judge of them without trial. And why? Because it is a dishonouring of God, to set such persons in his room, as are not worthy to have the ruling §60of a house. Ye shall see a man that is not able to govern his own household, such a one as is not to be trusted to for any thing, folk shall say of him, yonder fellow is a fool, he is a dizzard, he hath no reason, he hath no stay of himself, he hath neither wit nor discretion to guide himself or his household: and yet for all this, shall men go and set him in the seat of Justice? He is a man that cannot live quietly with his wife: & shall he be able to keep a whole City in quiet? Men prefer him to be a counsellor. And to what end? To see the peace maintained. And how can that be? He hath no moe but his wife and household to govern, and yet he is not able to wield them. When he is at home, he is not able to guide his wife and his children. Now when things go arsiversie after that sort, God is openly despised. So much the more therefore doth it stand us in hand to mark well what Moses saith here: namely that the choosing of Judges & Officers is not a matter of formality, or a Ceremony: but a holy thing wherein men ought to proceed with all reverence: and that God layeth not the bridle upon any peoples neck, as if he should say, Take whom ye list at adventure without consideration: but he portrayeth out the persons, and pointeth them out with his finger. Look to it (saith he) that ye use discretion in choosing the persons that shall have the ruling of the people. For the word:
Againe for the second, Moses declareth and setteth forth that which I said cōcerning choise making: namely that in the seate which GOD hath dedicated to himself, no such persons must be put, as turne all thinges vpside downe. For if such be chosen for publike Magistrates, as leade a wicked trade, as in whom there is no feare of God, no honestie, no vprightnes, but wildnesse, wantonnesse, and disorder; or in whom there is no more wisedome than in Asses, but to be short