A17698:316
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.
But let us mark likewise, that when men have once altered the order that God hath set, he must needs overthrow them. And that is the cause why there happen so many changes, and it is marvel that there are not seen yet a hundred times mo. Surely if God had not a special regard to the preservation of mankind: no doubt but we should see alterations of kingdoms every day, so that within two or three days, he that is now a king should be but as one that were dressed in a players apparel, to play an interlude upon a stage. But yet for all that we must mark well, that the alterations of kingdoms which happen, do serve to punish the changes that were made afore, when men removed their bounds at the beginning, and would needs pervert the order that God had set. Nevertheless, howsoever the case stands, let us bear this lesson in mind, ⟨p. 64⟩that God hath limited realms and countries: and that whereas it is his will that there should be principalities stablished every where, forasmuch as the same cometh of his providence: it behooveth us to hold our selves contented and not to alter any thing, unless we have good warrant that he openeth us the gate and armeth us. As for example, if violence be offered unto us, then is it certain that if God give victory to him that was wrongfully assailed, so as he overcome §10his enemy and put him to flight: that is a change that cometh of God. But as for to assail [unprovoked:] that (as I said afore) is not to fight against creatures, but against the living God.
But let vs marke lykewise, that when men haue once altered the order that God hath set, hee must needes ouerthrowe them. And that is the cause why there happen so many changes, and it is maruell that there are not seene yet a hundred times mo. Surely if God had not a speciall regard to the preseruation of mankinde: no doubt but wee should see alterations of kingdomes euery day, so that within two or three dayes, hee that is now a king should bee but as one that were drest in a players apparell, to play an enterlude vppon a stage. But yet for all that wee must marke well, that the alterations of kingdomes which happen, doe serue to punishe the chaunges that were made afore, when men remoued their boundes at the beginning, and would needes peruert the order that God had set. Neuerthelesse, howsoeuer the case stands, let vs beare this lesson in minde, ⟨p. 64⟩