A17698:2644
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.
Although the Law that is set down here, served for the common §40weal of Israel: yet may we also fare the better for it at this day. For thereby god meant to declare what punishment ought to be executed upon such as commit wilful murder §50through malice and of set purpose. Also it showeth that we must not take that for a crime, which a man doth not willingly, but by chauncemedly as they term it. True it is that such things are not so casual but that God governeth them from above, as is showed in another place, where it is said,1 that if a man be lopping of a tree, and a bough thereof do hit one upon the head that he dye, it is God that had determined it so. And the holy scripture will not have us to attribute §60the falling out of things to fortune, but that we should know that God directeth all things, to the intent that although we see not his hand, yet we should understand by faith, that he setteth such store by our life,2 that he hath numbered all the hairs of our heads, as is said in another text. Moreover, to come again to the matter, it is showed here that all faults are willing, that is to say, that men do them wittingly and of set purpose. But let us go forward with the text that is set down here. God commandeth the people of Israel to choose out three Cities, until he have enlarged their bounds further. For it behooved them to have six in all as we shall see in the next lecture,3 and as is declared in the twentieth chapter of Joshua. Nevertheless, until such time as the people were in full and peaceable possession of the land, Gods will was that they should appoint out but three Cities of refuge, for all such to flee unto as had committed any manslaughter by chance medley (as they call it.) Notwithstanding, least any man should abuse that privilege, he addeth what manner of manslayers should have protection thereby. Such (saith he) as have killed their neighbours unwittingly: and thereof he allegeth an example. If a man go to fell timber, and the Axe slippeth out of his hand, and hitteth one so as he dye; forasmuch as the man purposed not to do any such deed, he may flee and have himself in one of those Cities. Now we must mark that it was not enough for a man to protect that he had done it but by mischance: