A17698:1474
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, that we may so do: let us ad that which hath bin touched: that is to wit, that as God chastised his people in the wilderness, so was he also §60their guide and leader. So then, let us mark well▪ that after he hath rebuked the pride that is in us, and told us that if God reach out his hand to advance us, our heart must not be puffed up therefore, but we must walk on still in mildness and awfulness [towards God,] yea and be gentle loving and courteous towards our neighbours: he bringeth us back to consider what we were, when God vouchsafed to advance us to worship, riches, and such other like things. Now if we could take hold of this: surely whereas we set up our bristles, we would all of us cast down our eyes continually. True it is that when God hath delivered us from our miseries, we must put them quite out of our mind, even of purpose to be no more disquieted with the grief that we have endured, after that God hath once assuaged it after that fashion: but yet is it not meant that we should never think upon it more. For why? It must always be as a looking-glass for us to hold us in awe, that we play not the loose colts. Then if a man be rich, and God have increased him, let him bethink himself from whence comes this to me? Indeed if a man be rich by inheritance: he is the more bound unto God, so as he ought to acknowledge thus, behold what a number of goods God hath provided for me even before I was borne, so as I have wherewith to content me, and although I be not one penny increased, yet have I already more than I need. Such acknowledgement ought they to yield (say I), which are wealthy by succession or inheritance. And when a mans goods are of his own gathering: let him always have this regard, I was once poor, and how am I come to the state wherein I see my self as now? It is not meet I should cast a scarce before mine eyes in this case to forget God: but it behoveth me to acknowledge his liberality towards me, and that I am beholden to his free mercy for all that ever I have. After this manner ought he that is grown rich, to bethink him of his former poverty. For it will serve to bridle him, that he shall not be so misadvised as to wax stout against God, or to deal cruelly with his neighbours, by oppressing or rejecting them that seem to be his inferiors: but rather practise this warning of S.
Now, that we may so do: let vs ad that which hath bin touched: that is to wit, yt as God chastised his people in the wildernes, so was he also