A17698:966
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.
It is but only to the end that men should behave themselves well as touching outward civill order, so as no man be misused, but every man have his right, & peace and concord be maintained among men. That is the intent of Magistrates in making of their laws. And why? For they be mortal men, and cannot reform the inward & hidden affections. That belongeth to God. Again they cannot §60search mens hearts,1 for it is Gods peculiar office, and so doeth the holy scripture attribute it unto him. Nevertheless, when a civill law is once made: although there be not one drop of blood shed: yet is the offender worthy to be carried to the gallows, if he be known to have done what he could to have murdered one. If one draw his sword upon a man, who notwithstanding doth so ward his blows as they never touch any bare of him: the Laws even of the heathen do nevertheless condemn such a one to the gibbet as he is worthy. For why? The Law respecteth not the success, but the purpose and intent. Now seeing it is so that earthly Princes and Magistrates do punish such as have endeavoured themselves to do amiss, though they have been disappointed of their purpose, and not brought their attempt to pass: what shall God do? Shall he have less authority than a mortal creature? To that point (say I) must we come, to know that GOD doeth justly condemn all such for murderers, as hate their neighbours. Why so? As I said afore, let us consider what his nature is. Will we then keep his commandment? We must in effect begin at murdering: And why? For God meant to strike a fear into us aforehand, to the intent that whensoever we went about to hurt our neighbours, or to do any extortion or wrong: we might understand that it is a detestable and horrible thing unto them, and such a one as he cannot abide. Why so? Because it is a kind of murdering. Ye see then how God meant to daunt us at the first blow: and that is the end that we must begin at.
It is but onely to the end that men shoulde behaue themselues well as touching outward ciuill order, so as no man bee misused, but euerie man haue his right, & peace and concord bee maintained among men. That is the intent of Magistrates in making of their lawes. And why? For they bee mortall men, and cannot reforme the inward & hidden affections. That belongeth to God. Againe they cannot §60search mens hearts,