A17698:2422
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, let us mark well the speech how he saith, Thou shalt follow uprightness in all cases. The words are; Uprightness, uprightness shalt thou follow. So doth Moses speak, how beit that some §10men translate it, Thou shalt follow justice uprightly. But when all is throughly looked unto, he meaneth nothing else but that men should bear an even hand in executing of justice, following the right by straight line, and persevering steadfastly in it without swerving. I say it behoveth us to mark well this saying, because men will needs always discharge themselves to Godward by pieces: but as for to go through steadfastly with all things that he commandeth; that is a very §20rare matter, (as the world seeth) specially in those which have the handling of the law. True it is that though they be wicked, yet will they be ashamed not to have some goodly show: & so now and then a man shall find some uprightness and reason in them. But have they done right to one man? To morrow they will deal contrariwise with another. Have they punished one misdeed? Three shall go unpunished for it, after as the persons are favoured and borne out. This partiality §30is to be seen in manner continually: and it is a token that there is no uprightness. And this is not to serve God: insomuch that when indifferency is not used in the ministration of Justice, those that are punished cry out unto God for vengeance, as though they were wronged. And therefore Moses thinks it not enough that men should simply do Justice; but he will also have them to proceed with it, and to continue it, so as there may be Justice upon Justice: that is §40to say, a continual holding on, so as no undifferencie may be perceived, nor any diversity of weights and balances, nor any respect of persons: accordingly as hath bin said heretofore, that men must not lean to the one side for any favour, nor forsake a good cause for any hatred, but be of such stout courage that they bow not one way or other for any thing. That is the way to maintain Justice.
Againe, let vs marke well the speach howe he saith, Thou shalt followe vprightnesse in all cases. The wordes are; Vprightnes, vprightnes shalt thou follow. So doth Moses speake, how beit that some §10men translate it, Thou shalt follow iustice vprightly. But when all is throughly lookt vnto, he meaneth nothing else but that men should beare an euen hand in executing of iustice, following the right by streight line, and perseuering stedfastly in it without swaruing. I say it behoueth vs to marke well this saying, bycause men will needs alwayes discharge themselues to Godwarde by peeces: but as for to go through stedfastly with all things that he commaundeth; that is a very