A17698:2463
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.
The first extremity is, to judge of a matter before it be throughly proved, for so to do is evil, & in so doing men are too hasty. Therefore is it requisite, that there should be a two or three witnesses of it. And when there be a two or three witnesses, it is not for men to reply, as who should say it were meet that four or five witnesses §30should be sought for, & that the matter were never well proved, except there be a spokesman with the witnesses. And that is a flat mocking of God. Let us then bear in mind, that seeing our Lord hath told us, that the offender shall dye at the mouth of two or three witnesses; it is to be supposed that the knowledge of the matter ought to suffice us, so as there ought to be no wrangling against it, but that justice ought to proceed to execution. And we see how needful this admonition §40is for us. For men would ever shrink back if it were possible: & if there be any apparent colour to hide their misdeeds; they bear themselves in hand that their hands are clean washed of them. But here our Lord summoneth us, saying that if there be two witnesses, the Judge must not shrink back: for if he do, he is confederate & companion with the wicked, unless he put to his hand to the redress of their wickedness. Thus we see now, that in saying that two §50or three witnesses are sufficient, for the convicting of a man to have deserved death: our Lord meant to cut off occasion of all shifts that men devise to cloak their misdeeds withal.
The first extremitie is, to iudge of a mater before it be throughly proued, for so to do is euil, & in so doing men are too hastie. Therfore is it requisite, that there should be a two or three witnesses of it. And whē there be a two or three witnesses, it is not for men to reply, as who shold say it were meete that fower or fiue witnesses §30should be sought for, & that the matter were neuer wel prooued, except there bee a spokesman with the witnesses. And that is a flat mocking of God. Let vs then beare in minde, that seeing our Lord hath told vs, that the offender shall dye at the mouth of two or three witnesses; it is to bee supposed that ye knowledge of the matter ought to suffice vs, so as there ought to bee no wrangling against it, but that iustice ought to proceede to execution. And we see how needefull this admonition