A17698:765
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 yet for all this, it is said that the manslaughters which are not committed through malice, nor in rage, nor by quarrelling, shall be pardoned, and not without cause. For as I told you, the crimes that are punishable, must be committed with a will and intent. Then if one shoot, and meaning to level at his mark do hit a man by the way, he is not punishable: for even the Laws of man have ordained so, and there is an example of it set down in another place of this book,1 where it is said that if a man be cropping of a tree, and his Axe fall down upon one that is under the tree, he shall not be guilty of the falling of his Axe upon the head of him whom he perceived not. And why? For it was God that did it (sayeth the text,) whereas we say it was by chance or fortune: Because we cannot conceive that things happen otherwise than by chance. Ye see here how it is said to be Gods doing: that is to say, it was the will of God who governeth all things by his secret providence, that such a one should be taken out of the world. Yet notwithstanding, he that gave the stripe unawares, ought not to be punished as if he had killed one in anger and in a fray. Thus we see here what manslaughters are pardonable.
But yet for al this, it is saide that the manslaughters which are not committed through malice, nor in rage, nor by quarelling, shall bee pardoned, and not without cause. For as I tolde you, the crimes that are punishable, must bee committed with a will and intent. Then if one shoote, and meaning to leuell at his marke doe hit a man by the way, he is not punishable: for euen the Lawes of man haue ordained so, and there is an example of it set downe in another place of this booke,1 where it is said that if a man bee cropping of a tree, and his Ax fall downe vpon one that is vnder the tree, he shall not bee guiltie of the falling of his Ax vppon the head of him whom he perceiued not. And why? For it was God that did it (saieth the text,) whereas we say it was by chaunce or fortune: Bicause wee cannot conceiue that things happen otherwise than by chaunce. Ye see here howe it is saide to bee Gods doing: that is to say, it was the will of God who gouerneth all things by his secret prouidence, that such a one should bee taken out of the worlde. Yet notwithstanding, he that gaue the stripe vnawares, ought not to be punished as if he had killed one in anger and in a fray. Thus wee see heere what manslaughters are pardonable.