A17698:947
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 let us mark herewithall, that God must be honoured first, and the subjects must so obey their Princes and Magistrates, as the same may be no derogation to the right that God reserveth to himself, as he is worthy. And if Princes will needs enforce us to do evil, and overthrow the pure doctrine of God, (as we see too commonly in the world, insomuch that a number are so mad as they would fain wrest religion after their own fancy, to make as it were an image of wax of it, that they might writhe it which way they listed, as all men may see): God will not like of it that they should be obeyed in that behalf. For who be they? When they once revolt and climb above him that hath all sovereign Dominion:1 forthwith they forgo all their authority. The very devils must bow their knees before God and our Lord Jesus Christ: and behold, mortal men usurp such superiority, as the honour of God is defaced and all religion thrust down. So then let us learn to obey both princes and fathers and mothers in such wise, as God may hold still his right unimpaired, and we not be letted to yield him his due honour. Nevertheless we must obey them quietly, so far forth as we may without hurt of conscience. And although that such as have authority over us discharge not their duty: yet must not children misbehave themselves when their parents are too sharp and rigorous to them. True it is that the parents are forbidden to use any cruelty towards their children,2 & specially to discourage them: but yet for all that though the parents be not so well advised as to govern their children with mildness: the children must bear it patiently. Finally we must suffer at the hands of all such as have authority over us. And so ye see what God meant to set out in this commandment.
But let vs marke herewithall, that God muste be honoured first, and the subiectes must so obey their Princes and Magistrates, as the same may be no derogation to the right that God reserueth to himselfe, as he is worthie. And if Princes will needs inforce vs to doe euill, and ouerthrowe the pure doctrine of God, (as we see too commonly in the worlde, insomuch that a number are so madde as they woulde faine wrest religion after their owne fancie, to make as it were an image of wax of it, that they might writh it which way they listed, as all men may see): God will not like of it that they shoulde bee obeyed in that behalfe. For who bee they? When they once reuolt and climbe aboue him that hath all soueraine Dominion: