A17698:1752
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 after that Moses hath said so, he addeth that God hath no respect of persons, nor receiveth any rewards. Whereas he sayeth that he hath no respect of persons, his meaning is that there is no favour to be had at his hand for the things that men are willingly moved with. For this word Perso•• tokeneth the outward appearance. It is not taken here nor in any other places of the scripture, for that which we mean by the word person when we say, Lo here is one person, Lo here are two persons: but it is taken for riches, poverty, birth, nobility, or honour. All things therefore that carry an outward show before men, to move us to favour them or to hate them, to honour them or despise them, all those things (I say) are comprehended under the word Person, for they believe ⟨p. 447⟩as visors. And after that manner is it said that God accepteth no mans person. To what purpose now doeth Moses speak thereof? It is because that the great ones perceiving themselves to be borne out by the world, think they may do as much before God, & thereupon become proud. If a man have once won credit, so as men dare not open their mouths against his misbehaviour, but he dasheth them out of countenance as many as stand against him: he bears himself §10in hand that he may bear as great sway with God, & thereupon plays the prince among them. That is the cause why a number overshoot themselves, & cast away all fear of God. For when they see men fear them & stand in awe of them, or when they see men commend them and favour them: Then they think they have won the goal, then they fall to triumphing, & they bear themselves in hand that they should no more be called to account. Now because men overshoot themselves §20after that fashion:1 Moses summoneth them to gods judgement, which is done according to trueth, after which manner S. Paul speaketh of it where he expoundeth this same saying, that God hath no respect of persons. He judgeth truly (saith he) according to the deed & according to righteousness, so as men must not think they shall fare ever the better for their alleging this or that.
Now after that Moses hath said so, he addeth that God hath no respect of persons, nor receiueth any rewards. Whereas he saieth yt he hath no respect of persons, his meaning is that there is no fauor to be had at his hand for the things that men are willingly mooued with. For this word Perso tokeneth the outward appearance. It is not takē here nor in any other places of the scripture, for yt which we meane by the word person when we say, Lo here is one person, Lo here are two persons: but it is taken for riches, pouertie, birth, nobilitie, or honour. All things therefore yt carie an outward showe before men, to moue vs to fauor them or to hate them, to honour them or despyse them, all those things (I say) are comprehended vnder the word Person, for they belue