A17698:2683
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.
Furthermore let us mark, that the offender must be delivered into the hand of him that is to revenge the bloodshed, or else of him that demandeth justice: Whereby we may perceive that God alloweth no [private] revenges. For we know what rule is given us in the holy scripture: My brethren,1 (saith S. Paul) forbear revenge, yea, desire it not: but put it altogether into the hands of the heavenly Judge, to whom it belongeth.2 Nay (which more is) we be commanded to render good for evil, to pray for them that curse us, to do good to our enemies and to such as persecute us. Sith it is so then, we must assure our selves, and be fully resolved of it, that our Lord will have our affections bridled, so as we desire not any revenge though cause thereof be ministered; but rather strive to overcome the evil by doing good. Lo whereunto God calleth us. And why then is it said here, that the offender shall be put into the hand of him that requireth Justice? Let us note that the Laws which are made for civill or outward government, serve not to overrule mens affections: they be things that go asunder. Trueth it is that they be not repugnant, neither is there any contrariety in them: but we must have the discretion to consider, that when God spake as king of Israel and made statutes but for common policy; he respected not the spiritual perfection that is contained in the law which is our rule to all holiness and righteousness. A Judge therefore may well agree to one that requireth Justice at his hand; and although he be led with wicked affection, yet ought the Judge to grant him his right. And that is for our profit. For many men bear them selves in hand, that so they use the ordinary way of Justice, it is lawful for them to do what they can, & they shall not be condemned for it before ⟨p. 696⟩God, if their quarrel be just. But it may fall out many a time, that a quarrel shall be just, and a man shall pursue it by good means; and yet in the mean while he shall not fail to be worthy of blame before God. For there are three things required. The quarrel must first be just and good: secondly the mean must be lawful: and thirdly the affection must be pure and well ruled. Now this third point wanteth in most men. As how? Some man perchance §10