A17698:2423
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.
This lesson is apparent enough of it self: there §50remaineth no more for us but to fall to the practising thereof. But as I said, it is a very hard thing for men to frame themselves to keep an even hand. So far off is it, that this was written in vain: that it is said that if we will prosper through Gods favour, we must keep order continually among us, so as every man may have his right: and that on the contrary part, without we do so, God threateneth to bereave us of his blessing though he had given us it before. And thereof §60it is that we see so many changes and alterations to happen in the world: namely for that when God hath blessed a people, & set them in as good state as were to be wished, by & by they fall to rioting, so as the governors abuse their authority, & the people take liberty to do evil, when they see that their Judges are corrupted, by reason whereof God is fain to lift up his hand, & to take away quite and clean all that ever he had bestowed upon that nation. We see examples thereof too commonly. Wherefore let us stand in awe, and let us learn to live the warelyer in the obedience of God, when he hath set us in any prosperity. Let every man according to his ability, further the maintenance of Justice: and let such as have the sword in hand, use it in such sort as God may be honoured, & not be driven to bring us to our arraignment for breaking of the order which he had set among us: That is the effect of the things which we have to remember in this text.
This lesson is apparant enough of it self: there §50remaineth no more for vs but to fall to the practising therof. But as I sayd, it is a very hard thing for men to frame themselues to keepe an euen hand. So farre off is it, that this was written in vaine: that it is sayd yt if we will prosper through Gods fauor, wee must keepe order continually among vs, so as euery man may haue his right: and that on the contrary part, without we doe so, God threatneth to bereaue vs of his blessing though he had giuen vs it before. And thereof §60it is that we see so many chaunges and alterations to happen in the worlde: namely for that when God hath blessed a people, & set them in as good state as were to be wished, by & by they fall to ryoting, so as the gouerners abuse their authoritie, & the people take libertie to doe euill, when they see yt their Iudges are corrupted, by reason wherof God is fain to lift vp his hand, & to take away quite and cleane all that euer he had bestowed vpon that nation. Wee see examples thereof too commonly. Wherefore let vs stand in awe, and let vs learne to liue the warelyer in the obedience of God, when he hath set vs in any prosperitie. Let euery man according to his abilitie, further the maintenāce of Iustice: and let such as haue the sword in hand, vse it in such sorte as God may be honored, & not be driuen to bring vs to our arreignment for breaking of the order which he had set among vs: That is the effect of the thinges which we haue to remember in this text.