A17698:2230
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 rather that we should use such uprightness as to say, If I bear with him he will pay me one time or other, I see he is willing enough, I see he would pay me mine own and do as much for me if he were not overpressed otherwise; and seeing I know him to be such a one, shall I now set upon him with rigour? That were even as much as though I would cut asunder his hamstrings that he might be able to go no further. I see he is scarce able to draw his legs after him, and therefore if I should fall to cutting of his sinews asunder, and so fell him down altogether; if he be utterly overthrown for want of lending him my helping hand at his need, am not I the cause thereof? Shall not his poverty cry out for vengeance against me unto God?
but rather that wee shoulde vse such vprightnesse as to saye, If I beare with him hee will pay mee one time or other, I see hee is willing ynough, I see hee woulde paye mee mine owne and doe asmuch for mee if hee were not ouerpressed otherwise; and seeing I knowe him to bee such a one, shall I nowe set vppon him with rigour? That were euen as much as though I woulde cutte asunder his hamstringes that hee might bee able to goe no further. I see he is scarse able to drawe his legges after him, and therefore if I should fall to cutting of his sinewes asunder, and so fell him downe altogether; if hee bee vtterly ouerthrowen for want of lending him my helping hand at his neede, am not I the cause therof? Shal not his pouertie crie out for vengeance against mee vnto God?
Now we see how this Law served as a policy among the Jews, and yet nevertheless that it showeth us Gods will at this day, because it teacheth us to bear with the poor and needy. To be short, let us mark that our sparing of the poor after that fashion, is an acceptable sacrifice to God, and that after the same manner, he will accept all other services that we do unto him: where as if we perform never so many Ceremonies, and in the mean while have no equity nor upright meaning in us, we do but provoke Gods wrath according to the saying of the Prophet Isaiah which I have alleged already. If we resort to sermons, and show our selves to have never so great zeal and good will to Gods