A17698:2518
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.
WE saw yesterday why GOD commanded kings to have a book of the law. For although they had been taught afore, yet when they were come to that state, it stood them in hand to think that they had more need than ever they had to rule themselves by Gods word, considering how hard a thing it is to govern a people, and that God must be fain to work in that behalf, and men must acknowledge themselves far too weak, that they may seek the help §30that is needful for them; namely to be guided by God, and for attainment thereof apply their study to his word. For it is in vain for us to hope that God will give us counsel, unless we seek it in his law. If a man say that God will well enough give him his spirit, & yet in the mean while despise all the helps, as the reading of the holy scripture, & the hearing of Sermons: is it not a mocking of him? And so ye see wherefore §40it behoveth the kings to have a book of the law. There is a saying of a heathen man which is taken for a common proverb, namely that the common weal is happy where wise men hold the helm, or where such as hold the helm do give themselves to wisdom. And that is a very rare thing. But yet men see that all this is very true: For when men are chosen to govern a people, it is meet that they should have wit and reason in them. And it is not enough for a man to be of some courage & discretion aforehand ere he §50take the government upon him; but he must also endeavour to profit continually when he is come to it, and thereunto doth even experience itself provoke him: for our true wisdom is to hearken to God when he speaketh to us, and to obey his doctrine. So then we see how needful it was for kings to be exhorted to read Gods word most specially, and to give themselves thereto, as well for showing example unto others, as also for necessities sake, even because their charge is §60overhard & high, surmounting all capacity of man.
WE sawe yesterday why GOD commaunded kings to haue a booke of the law. For although they had beene taught afore, yet when they were come to that state, it stoode them in hand to thinke that they had more neede than euer they had to rule themselues by Gods word, considering how hard a thing it is to gouerne a people, and that God must be faine to worke in that behalfe, and men must acknowledge themselues far too weake, that they may seeke ye help