A17698:3347
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.
Now by the way we see what uprightness ought to be used in bonds. For because the women for their part were bound in such wise, it was requisite that there should be a mutual bond also on the mens sides. There is no reason that the one party should be bound, and the other left in in full liberty. Ye see then how we be warned in this place, that if two parties do contract or covenant together, the one must not be grieved, & the other borne withal: for that were unjust and against all reason.
Nowe by the way wee see what vprightnesse ought to be vsed in bondes. For because the women for their parte were bounde in such wise, it was requisite that there should be a mutual bond also on the mens sides. There is no reason that ye one partie should be bound, and the other left in in full liberty. Ye see then how we be warned in this place, that if two parties doe contract or couenant togither, the one must not be greeued, & the other borne withall: for that were vniust and against al reason.
And we ought to apply this unto all contracts, covenants and bargains which we be to deal in. Therefore if in bargaining with a man I stand altogether upon mine own advantage and be over straitly laced: in so doing I am wicked. And if I say: let him look to his own profit if he will: well, but yet should a man have so much honesty in him, as not to pinch the party too much; though he be able to compass him. We think all is lawful so a man yield to that which we would have him. Oh (say we) seeing it was his own will to bind himself so, what wrong do I to him? Yea, but his agreeing to all thy demands was by compulsion. And again the poor man was so overpressed, that he perceived not the damage which he ran into. Indeed he agreed to all that was demanded of him; howbeit, it was because he was in need, & wist not how to scape otherwise. Let us look to it therefore that we bear such an even hand, as one man be not trodden under foot by another. ⟨p. 881⟩And when there passeth any bond between man and man; let it be indifferent for both parties, so as either of them may feel himself relieved. Thus ye see one point more which we have to bear in mind upon this place.