A17698:2653
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 here we have a double lesson to gather of this text. The one is for such as sit in the seat of Justice. They (as I have said afore) must take good heed that they admit no trifling excuses: but that when any open offence is committed, they try out who is faulty thereof, that he may be punished for it.1 For we see how God hath commanded that if a mans body were found dead, the Justice should make diligent inquisition of it out of hand without any forslowing or partiality: and that if the murderer could not be found, yet if it were near the bounds of any Town or City, inquisition should be made for it round about, and solemn protestation should be made by those Cities that they were guiltless of the bloodshed before God, and that if they knew the doer thereof, they would bewray him: and after all this, it behoved them also to offer a sacrifice. And there is not any thing that can better show us how greatly God abhorreth the shedding of mans blood, than this that we see that he willeth the magistrates to come together after that fashion, to do Justice for duties sake of their own accord, though no man require it at their hand: and also to offer themselves before God in the open face of the world, with protestation that their intent is not to conceal the misdeed, but that they would to the uttermost of their power avenge it, if it came to their knowledge, without cloaking of it. And yet is not that enough: but they must moreover add a sacrifice, to crave pardon at Gods hand, forasmuch as it was his will to humble them, by suffering a manslaughter to be committed within their jurisdiction, and in that they were not able to clear the land thereof. So then let us learn, that such as sit in the seat of Justice must be watchful, to see that no misdemeanour be fostered. And if it be concealed, they must look diligently to it that it may be brought to light. And when they have proof of the matter, they must not be slack in punishing of it, unless they will be taken for accessories before God to the deed doers. Mark y• for one poin••
And heere wee haue a dubble lesson to gather of this text. The one is for such as sit in the seate of Iustice. They (as I haue sayd afore) must take good heede that they admit no trifling excuses: but that when any open offence is committed, they trye out who is faultie thereof, that hee may be punished for it.