A17698:1982
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 thereby we be done to understand that if God give us abundance, it is a continual putting of us in remembrance that he dwelleth among §40us, that we be not as these drunkards which in a year when there is store of wine, do despise God and play the very brute beasts, so that if they may not drink wine till they spew it out again, and pour it in as it were with tunnels, they have never enough. Let us beware of such beastliness: and let us bear in mind that we be in Gods presence. And surely if we bear him that reverence, we will be ashamed to cram our selves like dogs or swine, and to §50deface his image in us by unmeasurable eating & drinking till we burst again. Lo what we have to bear in mind. Likewise on the other side, if the year be barren, so as there be small store of wine, and corn is deer: This text teacheth us to thank God for it, and to cut our morsels the smaller, and to bridle our selves. For why? It is said that our eating must be after as our God hath blessed us, so as we must have an eye to the ability that God hath given us: and accordingly §60as we have wherewith, so must every of us learn to rule himself, and not play the unthrifts that are led away by their lusts, which put all into the platter (as they say) to satisfy their bellies withal. Some are so delicate of their diet, that rather than they will forbear when God sendeth them scarcity, they will sell their cotes, yea and their dishes and platters too. Such folk might consider, that it were good for them to keep somewhat in store, for afterward, to the intent that if they fell into sickness or any other necessity, they might have wherewith to relieve them. Had they any honesty or any stay of themselves, to think that it is Gods will to deal sparely with them at that time: Had they any consideration at all I say: they might say, Lord thou hast all good things in thine hand, and that so plentifully, as thou couldest well give us much more: but thou intendest to try our patience. Vouchsafe therefore to bless the little that thou hast given us, so as it may suffice us. Let it be as the Manna to us, that we may perceive thy favour towards us, even thereby though there were none other thing. But what? All our mind is upon the filling of our bellies; yea even without regarding how far God giveth us leave to go.
for thereby wee bee doone to vnderstande that if God giue vs abundaunce, it is a continuall putting of vs in remembrance that hee dwelleth among