A17698:2488
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.
And by this sentence we be put in mind of that which hath been spoken before: namely that our Lord maketh so great account of the earthly policy, that he will have it maintained yea even with mens lives. Precious is mans blood unto him; for men are shaped after his image: but yet doeth he not so much bear with a man,§10 but that he will have him stoned, & put to death, if he be disobedient to civill order. Therefore we can not by any comparison judge how precious and holy a thing in Gods sight the authority is which he hath given to Judges & Magistrates. For if any man step up against it, he shall die for it. And why? Is a mans life no more worth than so? (for so will some men allege.) Yes: and make ye nothing of the image of God which shineth forth much more in Magistrates, because §20God hath printed his mark in them? Again, what is the life of one man in comparison of the lives of a hundred thousand? For the whole nation perisheth without remedy, where this order is not held, that there be Magistrates, and that men yield obedience unto them. For the men that can not find in their hearts to be governed, would become devils, if there were no order of government, that they might be held in awe by their superiors: all would go to havoc.§30 So then it is not without cause that God hath ordained that the party should die which is disobedient to the order of Law. And therefore so much the more ought we to yield to that which is told us here, & to humble ourselves in that behalf, and to bow down our necks willingly & obediently to such as hold the sword of Justice. For in so doing, we offer unto God such sacrifice as is acceptable to him, & he receiveth it as we see in this text. And if we disobey the men whom he hath set in that degree; §40we be his enemies and make war against him, (as I said afore) and we shall have too mighty an adversary for us to overcome.
And by this sentence wee be put in minde of that which hath beene spoken before: namely yt our Lord maketh so great account of the earthly policie, that he will haue it mainteined yea euen with mens liues. Precious is mans bloude vnto him; for men are shaped after his image: but yet doeth he not so much beare with a man,§10 but that he will haue him stoned, & put to death, if he be disobedient to ciuill order. Therefore we can not by any comparison iudge how precious and holy a thing in Gods sight the authority is which he hath giuen to Iudges & Magistrates. For if any man step vp against it, he shall die for it. And why? Is a mans life no more worth than so? (for so will some men alleadge.) Yes: and make ye nothing of the image of God which shineth foorth much more in Magistrates, because