A17698:2497
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.
True it is that if disputation should arise concerning the government of men; it might be said that a free state is much better than to be under a Prince: but here is no controversy of any such matter. And in deed such disputations are not very profitable. For they that are under the government of a Prince, must not be fickle-minded to make any alteration. And those to whom God hath given liberty & freedom, ought to use it with thanksgiving, as a singular benefit & treasure that cannot be prised sufficiently. And §10as for the kingdom of Judah, there was a special respect in it, as I have said afore: namely that it was the image of the truth which was in our Lord Jesus Christ, in gathering us to himself to make us Gods Church & his own flock. For that is better than all the government in the whole world. If a man should compare a principality, or a free state of a Senate, or whatsoever else can be imagined for a commonweal, with y• grace which God giveth us in showing himself to us in his own person, of purpose §20to reign over us himself, & to take the charge of our welfare, & in establishing his only son in the office & dignity: I pray you is it not much better to be under the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, & to have him to reign over us as our sovereign Lord & King; than to be Kings & Emperors every one of us? Yes verily. So then we must conclude, that seeing God ordained Judges from the beginning, he showeth thereby that it is a desirable thing for folk to be governed in common & to have laws §30to reign among them, that there be no succession by inheritance, but y• even those which are chosen [to bear office] be bound to yield account of their doings, & have not absolute liberty to do what they list or to say: I will have this thing: It shall be thus done. This did God show, when he governed his own people by the hand of Judges. And for the same cause did he upbraid & blame the Jews for requiring a king to be their head & to reign over them.1 It is not thou (saith he to Samuel) to whom §40they have done this wrong. True it is that thou hast executed my authority in that thou art of my setting up: but their unthankfulness & disobedience toucheth me, in that they can not abide that I should have the governing of them. And afterward he addeth, well then let them have a king. But it shall be to their trouble: