A17698:932
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 let us treat of the forerehearsed commandment, which is of the honouring of our father and mother. Although mention be made here of father and mother by name: no doubt but he meant to deliver a general doctrine for the honouring of all Superiors. For proof whereof,1 we know that the Law is a perfect rule wherein nothing is wanting. But if there were nothing included concerning other superiors, as Princes, Magistrates, and such as have the sword of Justice, and Masters: there were some want. Therefore it is to be concluded, that here GOD hath commanded the honouring and obeying of all such as are in degree of superiority.2 Moreover seeing it is so that all preeminence cometh of GOD, and that it is an order set by him, without the which the world could not continue: what a thing were it that God should have made none account of it, in giving us the sure form of good and holy life? It is not to be thought strange, that he should comprehend all under one particular: for I have told you already, that that manner of dealing is to be found in the Law, and we shall see more of it again hereafter. Neither was that done because GOD could not have spoken otherwise: but because it was best for our ⟨p. 213⟩commodity and instruction. For we know that although men covet to seem subtle and sharp-witted: yet they cease not to shroud themselves under the covert of ignorance, when they see that Gods law presseth them: for then we would fain have some excuse to exempt us from the subjection thereof. Now if Gods Law were not meet to teach the rude & unlearned:3 many would allege that they be no clerks, and that they never went to school, and so they §10would bear themselves in hand, that Gods Law bound them not. But inasmuch as we see that God hath stooped to our rudeness, and spoken grossly according to our understanding: it bereaveth us of all excuse, and cutteth off all occasion of quarrelling, so as every of us must be fa••e to submit our selves, and to acknowledge that there is none other impediment, but that we be stubborn against God, and loth to bear his yoke. Thus ye see that Gods comprehending