A17698:3319
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.
Our Lord in this place showeth them §30which have the charge of Justice, what they ought to do when any man hath wronged his neighbour. For we know that civill order is ordained on earth,1 §40to the end that every man might live quietly, so as the weaker be not borne to the ground by the stronger, but that right and equity might bear rule. If this were not, men were better to be beasts to range in the wild forests: for the beasts yet can maintain and keep themselves one with another. But we know that men are of so perverse and crooked a nature, that every one would scratch out his neighbours eyes, if there were no bridle to hold §50them in. Seeing then it is so that God hath ordained magistrates to repress the lewd behaviours of men, and not to suffer any injurious and wrongful dealings to escape unpunished: it is not without cause that our Lord commandeth here, that if a man be unjustly molested, and complain of it, he shall have Justice done him. And although it be here expressly spoken of such injuries as men complain of; yet §60meaneth he not, that if any wickedness be committed and not complained of, the magistrates should wink at it, and dissemble it. For when a man is offended and seeketh thereupon for justice, he shall have peradventure some reasonable amends. But in the mean time ye shall see God offended, ye shall see a crime committed not against one man only, but against all; and yet no plaintiff found in this case; for we know that such zeal is not to be found in the world; nay we are fallen now into those times of which the prophet Elijah spake:2 That there is not one which standeth up to maintain the quarrel of God: and except we see that either we ourselves are like to sustain loss, or may make the matter gainful unto us; we withdraw ourselves, our mouths are shut up. And therefore the magistrates may not think themselves excused, although they have no alarms rung in their ears, nor complaints made unto them: for they ought to be watchful to punish such faults as are committed: they ought to enquire after them although they be not first made privy unto them. Nevertheless GOD will have them to hear the cries of those which are oppressed, and to reach out their hands unto them. And in very deed it is said that God will be on their side which are wrongfully entreated, & will defend them.