A17698:2208
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.
But howsoever the case stand, let us remember ⟨p. 570⟩in general, that of the goods which were consecrated in those days unto God, part was to be employed not only upon the Priests and Levites, but also upon the relief of the poor, so as it behoved them to have a part with the priests so far forth as the tenths would yield. What is to be done then nowadays? Forasmuch as the Ceremony of bringing of our Freewill offerings to a place chosen for that purpose is done away, if we intend to offer such sacrifices §10as may be acceptable to GOD, every of us must do almsdeeds according to his ability, and think thus with himself: Go too, my God hath given me change of meats, I eat one kind of porridge to day and another kind to morrow, and yet might I content my self all my life long with bread and water. But God of his bounteousness giveth me moreover what meats soever I like of best, yea and change of them also; so as if I be weary of one §20meat, I may take another according to my ability. Seeing then that he dealeth so with me, what an unthankfulness is it for me to despise him that showeth himself so liberal towards me?1 True it is that our so doing is neither here nor there (as they say,) in respect of God: the service that we do him doth neither amend him nor appair him: but he giveth us the poor among us, to be succoured at our hands, to the end that none of us should so glut himself by §30cramming his own belly, as to despise others that are in necessity, but that we should be well advised to make an offering unto God of the things that he hath put into our hands, and that the same might become holy by that means. Not that we should pay it as a ransom to God: but that the acknowledgement which we make unto him in having compassion upon our poor needy brethren, is as though our Lord should allow of our eating and drinking,§40 saying thus: Now is all lawful for you, I like well of it, I give it unto you; and that is because ye honour me in doing almsdeeds to such as are in poverty. Thus ye see what every man hath to bear in mind as in his own peculiar and private behalf.