A17698:2235
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.
And therefore whensoever we be tempted ⟨p. 577⟩by unbelief to catch other mens goods; Let us bethink our selves thus: how now? Shall we become rich in despite of God? At whose hand have we our living? Have we it not of his mere liberality? Now he hath not promised his blessing to any other than to such as walk in integrity, and do so bear with their neighbours, that they trample them not under their feet through overgreat rigour. But if I will needs enrich my self by hook and by §10crook; then do I spite God and provoke his wrath against me; and what hope is there then that God will bless me? Nay rather his horrible curse must needs light upon me. Therefore let us think advisedly upon these things. And that we may so do, Let us consider how it is he that giveth wherewith to find and feed us, and that he must be fain to preserve the things that he hath given us, and to make them available for our use; or otherwise we may §20well do what we can, and trot up and down; but all shall be but lost labour. God (say I) must be fain to open his hand to give us wherewith to live. And when he hath once given it, he must also maintain it. For it might slip away from us every minute of an hour, if he should not make us to enjoy still the things that he hath given us. Thirdly he must also be fain to give us the mean to it, and to turn the things to our benefit which he hath put §30into our hands. For if we put them to any other use, we shall wonder to see how they shall come to naught. And why? Because Gods blessing faileth us. Ye see then how the thing which we have to consider when our flesh is so froward as to provoke us to grieve our neighbours; is that we must think thus with our selves; yea, but what shall I gain in the end when God is against me? Sure I am that I ought to think my self beholden to him for all things:§40 and though I had all the world under my wing: yet were it nothing worth unless God blessed me. Sith it is so, I must have an eye to him, and be think me well how I may obtain his blessing by enlarging my heart towards my neighbours after his example, who showeth himself so liberal towards me.
And therefore whensoeuer wee be tempted