A17698:4420
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 charge they take upon them, which ought to govern a people. For it is not enough for them to be no partakers of the rebellions, mutinies, wicked compacts, & other offences that are committed against God. Although they protest that they be not attainted with them. nor had any mind or intent that way; yet shall they not go quit nor be counted guiltless for all that. For it behoveth them to withstand it with all stoutness §10of mind and force, and to be utterly unuincible. If they should see, not only two or three naughty packs set themselves against God; but also even a whole people set upon mischief: yet ought they to set themselves against them as open adversaries, in the maintenance of Gods cause: and if they fail so to do; their cowardliness will not be excusable. Oftentimes the Magistrates which have Gods sword in their hand, and the Ministers of Gods word which §20are ordained to rebuke evil; think it enough to be but only grieved when men offend God. But we see contrariwise, that although Moses and Aaron meddled not with the wickedness of the people, but did even shun it, and would with all their hearts that God had been honoured, & it was not long of them that things went no better forward: yet notwithstanding, God imputeth it to them for a fault, because they were not stout and free hearted in striving against §30them, as they ought to have bin. So then, they which are set in public office, ought to desire God to give them such constancy and stoutness of mind, as they may not yield for any thing that can happen, but keep on their course continually, without striking their sail as they say. For surely as for us, a small thing will shake us, or rather throw us down at the first blow. Therefore must God be fain to work in us. Yet notwithstanding we shall not be discharged, except §40that every of us in his calling do put forth himself in the maintenance of Gods quarrel, to restrain the evil as much as he can, so as our mouths be open to rebuke vice, insomuch that if we see a whole people given to wickedness, we cry out unto them, & tell them of the vengeance that is prepared for them. Thus ye see what we have to do on our side.
Nowe by the way we see what charge they take vppon them, which ought to gouerne a people. For it is not ynough for them to bee no partakers of the rebellions, mutinies, wicked compactes, & other offences that are committed against God. Although they protest that they bee not attaynted with them. nor had any minde or intent that way; yet shall they not goe quit nor be counted guiltlesse for all that. For it behoueth them to withstand it with all stoutenesse