A17698:2206
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.
We see it was Gods will that the poor should be found and maintained by a part of the tithes, that is to say of the offerings which were made in those days.§60 After the same manner must we come to the use of Gods Law at this day: and forasmuch as Tenths or Twentieths were left even in old time to Princes and chief Lords, and that the same order was set down for the benefit of the Church; Let us consider how it may be employed to the benefit of the Church at this day. It is not meant that such as bear the name of Prelates and Pastors should glut themselves with them: nor that when they have sotted themselves in their pleasures and delights and spent more than needeth in prodigality and idle expenses, they should have wherewith to maintain whoredom and other stumbling blocks, as we see that the Church goods are commonly wasted in such things. For we know that such doings are against the order of nature, and therefore can in no wise be justified by Gods word. What is to be done then? Let the possession remain quietly, and in the mean while let men return them to their right use. Let them be maintained whom God hath commanded to be maintained. And let the things be continued which are requisite for the well ordering of the Church. Moreover, Let the poor and needy be pitied; Let men know them to be the takers up of Gods rents;1 and that it is an acceptable kind of sacrifice unto him when such are relieved as ought to be succoured. After that manner we may justly condemn the Papists at this day, yea and take them for Church robbers and thieves, by reason of their wrongful challenging of the things to themselves which belong not to them. And we on our side shall not be condemned for the like, if we run back to Gods will, and dispose the Church goods in such wise, as the poor be not defrauded of them, but that such almsdeeds be done with them, as the necessity of those be relieved whom God commandeth us to succour, and whom he offereth us as in his own stead, according to this saying of his, that look whatsoever we do to the poor, he taketh it as done to himself. Sith it is so,2 let us follow that rule. For we see how this lesson is greatly for our behoof nowadays, and how we may put the same in ure.
Wee see it was Gods will that the poore should bee found and mainteined by a part of the tythes, that is to say of the offeringes which were made in those dayes.