A17698:2706
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.
WE have seen heretofore after what manner God would have all things brought to end: namely by proving the truth by good record: and yet that no infinite §30number of witnesses should be required, but that men should hold themselves contented with twain that could bear record of the deed. For as I said, offences should abide unpunished, if men should not stand upon the record of two witnesses. Yea and we see how a number of men conceal the truth and forswear themselves, insomuch that when the proof of a crime committed cometh to trial, a man shall have much ado to find one faithful witness among §40three or four. Therefore if the number were not determinate, what a thing were it? Notwithstanding forasmuch as the witnesses do more in a case than the Judge himself as the common proverb saith: it behooveth them for their part to be held in awe, and that they have no liberty given them nor gap opened to them to oppress guiltless persons. For if it might be suffered, it were better for men to be in the woods among thieves, than to be in a city where law is to be executed: for false §50witnesses would murder such men with their tongues, as could defend themselves from the robbers. And therefore our Lord addeth, that if an unfaithful witness be falsely deposed; and that the defendant feeling himself grieved allege that the record is false and wicked: he shall be heard. Now a man may mislike of the witnesses before they give their evidence, if there be just cause, or at leastwise if there be some colour: but here it is for the defendant to show that the witnessing §60was false.
WE haue seene heeretofore after what maner God wold haue all thinges brought to end: namely by prouing the truth by good record: and yet that no infinite §30number of witnesses should be required, but yt men should hold themselues contented with twain that could beare record of the deede. For as I sayd, offences should abide vnpunished, if men should not stand vpon the recorde of two witnesses. Yea and we see how a number of men conceale the truth and foresweare themselues, insomuch that when the proofe of a crime committed commeth to triall, a man shall haue much ado to finde one faithfull witnesse among §40