A17698:1763
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.
By the way, we have also great comfort to receive of this text: so that if we be destitute of worldly helps, our God here taketh us into his tuition; yea and he tarrieth not till we come unto him, but telleth us that he is our defence, and that he will be our maintainer. Now then although poor folk be wronged, and have never so much violence offered them, so as they be in manner trodden under foot: have they not wherewith to content themselves, sith they know that God looketh upon them with pity, and will in the end stretch forth his mighty hand to succour them? True it is that they must be exercised with patience so long as pleaseth God: but yet if they be not too unthankful, they have well wherewith to content ⟨p. 450⟩themselves, in that they be sure that God never forgetteth them, but succoureth them, & keepeth a register of all the wrongs that are done unto them, to bring them to account in time convenient. Howbeit to the intent we may enjoy this comfort, let us note also, that it is not enough for men to be fatherless or strangers, or for women to be husbandless; but we must also be truly distressed before God, so as we humble our selves & resort to him for rescue when men afflict us wrongfully.§10 For if a stranger be prouder than he that is at home in his own country and among his friends: it is in vain for him to trust that God will be the defender of his welfare. When a stranger is so lordly, that he will take more upon him than the party that hath wherewith to help himself: he may go seek his maintenance elsewhere than at Gods hand; for he shall not find it there. But if a stranger perceiving himself destitute of all worldly help, & yet that God is on his side, do call upon him §20& put himself wholly into his hands; surely then shall he find at length, that Gods promising to do right to the stranger, is not in vain. If a widow play the she devil, in troubling and vexing of other folks, and that there is more to do with her than with a dozen men: let her not think that God will trouble himself for her. But if a widow be helpless, & behave her self meekly, & seek no further than to live peaceably with all men: such a one will the heavenly Judge receive into his protection.§30 In like case standeth it with the fatherless. If they give themselves to naughtiness, shaking off all yoke, & become unthrifts in spite of God & the world;