A17698:2231
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.
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 ⟨p. 576⟩word; and yet for all that, every of us do practise wicked devises to overthrow our neighbours, so as we seek to devour one another like dogs and cats: our Lord shall be much beholding to us for giving ear to his sayings, when in the mean while we make none account of the keeping of them. Nay contrariwise, let us consider that our coming hither is to be induced to brotherly love, so as the rich may bear with the poor, and that where any §10poverty is among us, they may be so provided for as they may still come forward, and be so comforted as they may eat the bread which God giveth them, with thanksgiving, and not be driven to despair, nor the name of God be thereby blasphemed. And we must not tarry till the time of forbearing be proclaimed by the sound of a trumpet: but we must hold our selves contented with Gods loud crying out unto us from day to day. And this word must §20sound into our hearts: By which God requireth that we should so partake with our neighbours that they should no manner of way be grieved by us: Again we must not look for a seventh year, because we must have at this present a continual rest: Seeing that God hath rid us from the old bondage of the law; and therefore he will have us to rest our selves all our life long in him: let us therefore give rest to our neighbours, so as they may be relieved and not have any occasion §30of heartburning against us for our despising and rejecting of them;
Nowe wee see howe this Lawe serued as a policie among the Iewes, and yet neuerthelesse that it sheweth vs Gods will at this day, because it teacheth vs to beare with the poore and needie. To be short, let vs marke that our sparing of the poore after that fashion, is an acceptable sacrifice to God, and that after the same manner, he will accept all other seruices that we do vnto him: where as if wee performe neuer so manie Ceremonies, and in the meane while haue no equitie nor vpright meaning in vs, we do but prouoke Gods wrath according to the saying of the Prophet Esay which I haue alledged already. If wee resort to sermons, and shewe our selues to haue neuer so great zeale and good will to Gods