A17698:3555
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.
And truly God speaketh here, as well of Judges that have been corrupted to oppress a poor man; as of those that have sold themselves or have set themselves to hire to murder, beat, or strike men; as these squaring Ruffians do, which seek to be set a work in beating men or in quarrelling with them: all these kinds of offenders hath God utterly condemned in this text. And under one particular he comprehendeth generally all, as I have said afore. And so the thing in effect which we have to gather, is, that Covetousness must not lead us to hurt any man at all. We see now that this doctrine extendeth it self very far. For what is the cause of the committing of so many cozenages, oppressions, outrages, and injuries; but only the seeking of self profit? I would fain pleasure a man that is in authority, because that to my seeming he is able to requite me again: and hereupon I for his sake do fall to oppressing one, and to tormenting another. And afterward that is not enough; unless I use other manner of dealings, so as the matter groweth to be endless & out of all measure. So much the more therefore doeth it stand us in hand, to mark well this doctrine where it is said: Cursed shall he be which taketh reward to do men wrong.
And truely God speaketh here, as well of Iudges that haue beene corrupted to oppresse a poore man; as of those that haue solde themselues or haue set themselues to hyre to murder, beate, or strike men; as these squaring Ruffians doe, which seeke to bee set a worke in beating men or in quarelling with them: all these kindes of offenders hath God vtterly condemned in this text. And vnder one particular he comprehendeth generally all, as I haue sayde afore. And so the thing in effect which wee haue to gather, is, that Couetousnesse must not leade vs to hurt any man at all. Wee see nowe that this doctrine extendeth it selfe verie farre. For what is the cause of the committing of so many cousinages, oppressions, outrages, and iniuries; but onely the seeking of selfe profite? I woulde faine pleasure a man that is in authoritie, bycause that to my seeming hee is able to requite mee againe: and hereupon I for his sake doe fall to oppressing one, and to tormenting another. And afterwarde that is not ynough; vnlesse I vse other manner of dealings, so as the matter groweth to bee endlesse & out of all measure. So much the more therefore doeth it stande vs in hande, to marke well this doctrine where it is sayd: Cursed shall he be which taketh reward to doe men wrong.