A17698:2528
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.
our Lord hath specially forbidden them to have many wives, and moreover because the example of such as are in authority, is worse than the example of private persons. If a common person do any evil, it goeth no further than his own house and his next neighbours:§20 but he that is in authority standeth upon a scaffold, and is seen afar off: and if he overshoot himself; the corruption of him spreadeth throughout the realm. Therefore it was requisite that God should forbid kings to have many wives, even because the corruption thereof would have spread over the whole land. And although it could not be letted altogether: yet came it first from the heathen. And if it be asked from whence the having of many wives §30came,1 it will be found in the house of Cain, & not among the people of God. This lewdness then of having many wives, was brought up by Satan. And the Patriarchs were entangled in it; as in deed it is hard for a man to keep him self from a thing, when it is once grown into a custom, for then it seemeth to be permitted. Yet notwithstanding to the intent it should no more be so, because there was occasion thereof, our Lord forbade kings to have many wives.
our Lorde hath specially forbidden them to haue many wiues, and moreouer because the example of such as are in authoritie, is woorse than the example of priuate persons. If a common person doe any euill, it goeth no further than his owne house and his next neighbours:§20 but hee that is in authoritie standeth vppon a skaffolde, and is seene afarre off: and if he ouershoote himselfe; the corruption of him spreadeth throughout the realme. Therefore it was requisite that God should forbid kinges to haue many wiues, euen because the corruption therof woulde haue spread ouer the whole lande. And although it could not be letted altogither: yet came it first from the heathen. And if it bee asked from whence the hauing of many wyues §30came,1 it wilbee founde in the house of Cain, & not among the people of God. This leawdnesse then of hauing many wyues, was brought vp by Satan. And the Patriarkes were intangled in it; as in deede it is harde for a man to keepe him selfe from a thing, when it is once growen into a custome, for then it seemeth to be permitted. Yet notwithstanding to the intent it should no more be so, because there was occasion therof, our Lorde forbad kinges to haue many wiues.