A17698:2670
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.
Here it is to be noted further, that whereas God sayeth that the people of Israel shall add three other Cities of refuge, after that their bounds are enlarged: thereby we be done to understand, that the more power and ability that GOD giveth us, the more are we bound to employ it, to comfort innocents, and to succour them at their need. And this ought to be put in ure generally by all men of authority and governors. The more power then that a Magistrate hath, the more ought he to think himself bound to maintain the good and guiltless under his protection, and to be a help to them that they be not troubled. Ofttimes he that would relieve good men, is not able: yea and peradventure he himself also shall be oppressed. In such cases we must have recourse unto God, & bow down our shoulders, tarrying till he ⟨p. 693⟩have pity upon us, and in the mean while we must arm our selves with patience. But when a man is armed with Gods power; then it shall not be enough for him to mislike of things, and to be somewhat sorry for them; but he must also employ the authority that God giveth him, and the same rule ought to be observed of every of us particularly. To be short, forasmuch as God giveth power to Kings, Princes, and all other Magistrates; they ought to employ all that §10ever they have, to the defence of those whom God hath committed to their charge, and to deal in such sort as their subjects be not wrongfully molested. Lo here a rule that concerneth such as have the sword of justice in their hand. Nevertheless, it behoveth every of us to follow the same order. And although we be not armed with the sword of Justice; yet notwithstanding if God give us any ability or opportunity, let us look to it that we help the good and succour §20them in their need. Therefore if a rich man see a poor man suffer wrong; let him help him and relieve him. If a man of discretion see a poor man destitute of counsel, so as he knoweth not what to do: let him give him his advise as the case serveth. If a man have credit whereby he may deliver them that are in distress: let him likewise employ it for his part. Thus ye see how we ought to put this saying in ure, When God shall have enlarged thy bounds, then shalt §30thou add three Cities moe.