A17698:1200
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.
For although the rich sort may now and then allege that they have taken much pain in gathering the things which they possess, or that they have attained to them by some other mean, and that they have them by succession from their fathers and ancestors: Yet will not God lose his right, for (as I said afore) it is his blessing that maketh men rich. Therefore they that possess most must know that Gods being liberal to them after that fashion, is to the end to bind them the streitlyer to him, and to allure them the more to serve and honour him as their father, yea and as a kindhearted father which desireth nothing but to give his children their fill of all good things, so as they may not want any thing.
For although the riche sorte may now and then alledge that they haue taken much payne in gathering the thinges which they possesse, or that they haue atteyned to them by some other meane, and that they haue them by succession from their fathers and auncesters: Yet will not God lose his right, for (as I sayd afore) it is his blessing that maketh men riche. Therefore they that possesse most must knowe that Gods being liberal to them after that fashion, is to the ende to binde them the streitlyer to him, and to allure them the more to serue and honour him as their father, yea and as a kindehearted father which desireth nothing but to giue his children their fill of al good thinges, so as they may not want any thing.
Thus have we here a general rule: which is, that after as GOD giveth us ease and the commodities of this world, so must we be the more disposed to love him: for that gentleness of his draweth us unto him. And when we have so tasted of his goodness and found savour in it: needs must there be too great unkindness and churlishness in us, if we be not moved to love him as we ought to do. And that must be not only in our eating & drinking, but also in all things that concern this present life. As for example, if GOD give us peace and quietness, whiles others are in trouble or at wars: if we be unvexed of plagues and diseases, while we see a number of other folks afflicted: let us understand that our Lord allureth us gently unto him, and would fain win us by such kindness, and therefore if we vouchsafe not to come unto him, we shall pay right dear for the things that we shall have received at his hand. True it is that God requireth not any payment at our hands: for we have not any thing to give him: but yet will be have us to be thankful towards him for our duties sake. If we do not so: it must be laid to our charge, that being not his children, we have treacherously robbed him of his goods.