A17698:2483
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.
Insomuch that they say that the holy scripture is a pliable thing (as I have declared afore); so as if we should stick to that which is contained there, our faith should never be certain. And thereupon every man follows his own fancy, Seeing they were come to such extremity, a man may well perceive that the holy scripture bare no sway among them. But on the contrary part it is said, that the high priest must be a Judge, not only in matters concerning the spiritual government of the church, but also in civil cases; & that he must follow the law though the case concern but the temporal jurisdiction. If it be so; what is to be done when they have to deal with the law of God? When the case concerneth the salvation of mens souls, religion, & faith, which are things that pass all the whole world: Shall men therein forsake the holy Scriptures? Shall men in those cases overrule matters at their own pleasure, as if they would say, This seems good to me, this hath the holy Ghost revealed unto me? See ye not how God is shamefully mocked in this behalf? So then, let us mark well, first that our lord meant not to give infinite power either to the Priests or to the Judges, ⟨p. 642⟩but that he hath sent & referred them back to his law, that they might judge according to the same. In deed here a man might reply; that every man might say; It is not according to Gods law, unless the exposition that is given thereof be to their own liking. And truly the heretics are so wilful, that they will never be convicted. Although the holy scripture be alleged unto them, & that the texts be set down never so clear & infallible; yet will they not cease to contend still, even when §10their own consciences condemn them, as saith S. Paul.1 Al this is true yet must not they which are in authority abuse it, as though it were lawful for them to say; This is the law, let it be followed. Nevertheless, the Pope & all his clergy have left the holy scripture: & what should we do then but repair to this rule; that seeing God would have the temporal jurisdiction to be governed by his word, there is much more reason that the Church should not be otherwise governed than by the holy scripture.§20 Wheresoever temporal Judges are, they be lawmakers, neither have they liberty to make new laws for the spiritual government of the Church.