A17698:2536
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 it is said here expressly Against thy brethren, or above thy brethren. For Kings and Princes §40think themselves to be as it were cut off from the company of men, and that they ought not any more to be counted of the common array of them. But our Lord scorning such disdainfulness, sayeth: Yet are they your brethren. In deed this is spoken of the children of Abraham which were descended all of one race. But choose me out a king where ye will, is he not a man? And are not they his brethren, over whom he reigneth? And if the case stand so with the greatest kings §50of the earth: what is to be thought of those that are far their inferiors? Now therefore, when a man is in authority or hath wherewith to maintain himself in credit, if he be tempted to forget himself, let him consider thus: yet am I not separated from the rest of the body, I am a member thereof still, and they that are my inferiors cease not to be my brethren. What a thing were it then, if I should vaunt my self? Were it not a despising of God? Let such as are advanced to any state of great preeminence remember this warning as oft as they be tempted to despise other men and to shake them off. Let them think thus: what, should we be as Lyons towards Lambs where there is brotherhood? There is no brotherhood between a Lyon and a Lamb. If I have a Lyons heart, full of pride, Lordliness, and overweening: what a thing is it? Can I live with them that are committed unto me?1 Yea: for we see what is said of king Hezekiah, when the Prophet Isaiah telleth him of the restoring of the people to their former state. And no doubt but he had an eye to this text, to show how it was the duty of Hezekiah and of all kings, to be a shadow for the refreshing and easing of their people, & a fosterfather to the poor and fatherless,2 and a comfort of them that are in distress and sorrow. And for a conclusion he sayeth, that the fear of God shall be a treasure in his time, according to that which I have showed already. So that if kings will behave themselves as they ought, they must set their minds upon this lesson, as it is showed them by the Law of God. It was applied to the person of Hezekiah: but yet must all other men look to themselves. And if our Lord tell this lesson to y• great ones, without sparing them, what temptations soever they have: