A17698:2473
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, if a man intend to provide for the pacifying §20of quarrels among men, so as might may not overcome right: ye see that ordinary Justice cannot be forborne. For inasmuch as God had chosen the people of Israel; it is certain that he provided the best mean that could be devised for the maintaining of them in peace and concord. And in very deed they were all of one linage, descended of the race of Abraham: and therefore inasmuch as there was such a brotherhood among them; it ought to have been §30the easier to have continued them in quietness. On the other side they seeing themselves separated from the rest of the world, and being there gathered together into one body in the name of God: ought to have born one with another in reverence of that holy bond. Yet notwithstanding for their further preservation, God ordained this mean that there should be Judges in every City. Then let us conclude, that as long as men live here beneath; they cannot forbear Magistrates,§40 by reason of their infirmities. Truth it is that every man ought to carry the Law in his heart, and every man ought to do all men right of their own accord: but we be blind and our affections carry us away; and besides that, we subdue not our understanding, neither do we hold our lusts captives as we ought to do. Therefore we have need of a bridle for them. And that is my meaning, in saying that we ought to love the state of civil government, and to reverence it; §50namely because it is a necessary mean to maintain mankind in this world, and without it all things would go to horrible confusion, in so much that we should not only become as Dogs & Cats; but also be worse than wild beasts. Greatly therefore ought we to bewail our state, seeing that (as I have showed afore) we which bear the Image of God cannot use our freedom to behave our selves according to reason and equity. Yet notwithstanding, seeing we be so sore corrupted, we §60must understand that Gods remedying of our diseases after that fashion, is a point of his singular goodness towards us. But howsoever the case stand, if we will eschew that men scratch not out one another's eyes, ne eat not up one another:
Againe, if a man intend to prouide for the pacifying §20