A17698:766
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.
Howbeit, there are two things to be noted therewithal: the one is, that inquisition must be made of it: and the other is, that although such a one be not to be taken as a felon, yet doeth God separate him from other men, & will have him to be as a prisoner for a time, to the intent he should be an example to others to shun murder the more, seeing that the manslaughter which was committed unwillingly is punished after that fashion. As touching inquisition and making of search, it is a notable point. For we see how men are abused with the things that are done in favour of offenders: in so much that if any thing ⟨p. 174⟩be alleged that may move to pity, and a countenance be set upon the matter that the offender is very sorry: men must shut their eyes at him, and say, alas, what should a man do? And this is done daily, and would God that examples thereof were not so common. Justice is commonly abused: in so much that if there be any cause or reason to be showed that some man may happen not to be so faulty as he is accused to be: the same shall be wrested to another mans §10defence, which is not worthy to have any favour at all. And why is that? For want of examination. And by that mean wicked men are still maintained. For were there diligent examination made, and things sifted to the bottom: men might soon discern between them that are faulty, and them that are faultless. But what? men are contented to shut their eyes, and although they cannot but see, yet will they make countenance as though they knew it not. And §20so are the wicked discharged. The matters lye open to the world▪ they may be pointed out with ones finger, the evidence is too too apparent: and yet nothing can be known. And why? Because men list not. O ye purblind folks which blear your eyes in such sort, ye shall be driven in the end, to know what place ye hold, & that he which ordained you to be judges, seeth for you, yea and that he seeth clearly, and writeth the things in his Registers which you forget §30and wilfully overslip, and he will put you in remembrance of them to your cost. For when so heinous offences are committed, our Lord will not have them let slip under colour of simplicity or pretence of ignorance: but he will have them sifted out, and information given of them, & the truth tried by all means possible, so as men may not say, where are we now?