A17698:2534
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 afterward he sayeth, That his heart turn not away: that is to say, least his greatness make him to forget himself, and he addeth yet further, That he exalt not himself above his brethren. Whereas it is said that the king must not turn away; that is because that when men be advanced to honour, they commonly forget themselves, and think not themselves to be the same they were before. Above all things the dignity of a king is a state that will blear a mans eyes, yea, and put them quite and clean out: in so much that Princes think not themselves to be as mortal creatures, but rather as half Gods by reason of their high advancement, and we see they look as high as though nothing were unpossible to them, so as they will not be subject any more to right or reason. And if men do not flatter them and honour them as Gods, they think they have the greatest wrong that can be. And whereof cometh that? Even of this, that when a man is great, he can have neither mildness nor lowliness in him, except Gods spirit reign in him. For this ⟨p. 655⟩cause are kings warned here, to beware that they forget not themselves: yea and that is yet better expressed in that Moses addeth, that they must not exalt themselves above their brethren. Whereof cometh it that kings & Princes will needs set their feet upon all mens throats after that fashion? Even of this pride which poisoneth their hearts, that they consider not themselves to be men, ne know any more what their state is. And when they be so blind to Godward, it is no §10marvel though the fullness of their pride & presumption, make them to tread men under foot, and to look that all men should stand in fear of them and stoop to their yoke. That is the cause why Moses matcheth those two things together.
And afterwarde hee sayeth, That his heart turne not away: that is to say, least his greatnesse make him to forget himselfe, and hee addeth yet further, That hee exalt not himselfe aboue his brethren. Whereas it is sayde that the king must not turne away; that is because that when men bee aduaunced to honour, they commonly forgette themselues, and thinke not themselues to bee the same they were before. Aboue all thinges the dignitie of a king is a state that will bleare a mannes eyes, yea, and put them quyte and cleane out: in so much that Princes thinke not themselues to bee as mortall creatures, but rather as halfe Gods by reason of their high aduauncement, and wee see they looke as high as though nothing were vnpossible to them, so as they will not bee subiect any more to right or reason. And if men doe not flatter them and honour them as Gods, they thinke they haue the greatest wrong that can bee. And whereof commeth that? Euen of this, that when a man is great, hee can haue neither mieldnesse nor lowlinesse in him, except Gods spirite reigne in him. For this