A17698:2409
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 therefore, they that sit in the seat of Justice ought to think thus: doth he that brings me presents, bring them of good will as one neighbour to another, or as one friend to another? or bringeth he them rather for some matters sake which he hath before me? Then if a man have a cause before a Judge, & the Judge take a present of him; he offendeth god. Who so? Because God hath ⟨p. 625⟩forbidden him, and he knoweth wherefore. It is not for man to say, It makes no matter, I will take heed well enough for being bridled by it. But it is a tempting of God when we deal so, and God will hold scorn of our overweening, and will show us that we be not of such ability as we took our selves to be, and that he did not without cause tell us, that when we be lime-fingered to draw presents unto us, and to hold them fast when we have them: then are our eyes blinded,§10 and then are our hearts wrested, so as we have no more wisdom nor uprightness in us. Seeing that God saith so, it is not for us to reply against it. And in deed, whosoever they be that boast themselves to be unable to be corrupted, or to be made to steppe aside by taking of presents: they need not to be brought before God to be convicted, but even young children may judge of them. It is too common a thing, and I could allege examples thereof that are known §20well enough. For there are some which are grown to so great unshamefastnesse; that they stick not to say, As for me, I will take on all hands. This hath bin heard, and there are witnesses enow that can bear me record of the matter. And in the mean season what protested they? Tush, I will not be corrupted for all that. No: but when little children have seen that Justice hath bin set to sale, and that a lewd man hath gotten the upper hand in all cases, what is to be said of §30it? As for him, so he might play his pranks, and obtain his suits: he had cast his cards aforehand. And on the other side, those to whom the presents were brought, went like swine casting up their groynes, so as there was less honesty and shame among them, than is even among the heathen men and infidels. This hath bin seen: and yet notwithstanding they pretended in their talk to be holy men. O there were as godly and sweet words as could be: yea,§40