A17698:2249
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 whereas it is said within thy Gates: it is to show that the exercising of our charity ought to be according to our knowledge of mens necessities. For we be not able to judge of all mens needs. True it is that even without seeing the extremities that are every where we ought to be touched with compassion. When we hear of wars, that one Country hath been burned, another spoiled, and all things have been turned upside down; it is not for us to go to the place to see what hath been done. For if we be not too too blockish, we may well think that those things cannot be done without horrible confusion. Therefore must we pray for those whom we never saw: for they touch us, they be men as well as we, they be reasonable creatures shaped after the Image of GOD.1 And in that respect we ought to pity those that are nothing near unto us. But as in respect of succouring, every man must strain himself according to the need that he seeth, for I cannot judge of those that are far off from me. But if I see a body in present necessity; then must I be moved to pity, and I must consider that God provoketh and calleth me to the succouring of him that is in need.
And whereas it is saide within thy Gates: it is to shew that the exercising of our charity ought to bee according to our knowledge of mens necessities. For wee bee not able to iudge of all mens needes. True it is that euen without seeing the extremities that are euery where wee ought to be touched with compassion. When we heare of warres, that one Countrie hath beene burned, another spoyled, and all thinges haue beene turned vpside downe; it is not for vs to go to the place to see what hath beene done. For if we be not too too blockish, we may wel thinke that those thinges cannot bee doone without horrible confusion. Therefore must we pray for those whome wee neuer sawe: for they touch vs, they bee men as well as wee, they bee reasonable creatures shaped after the Image of GOD.1 And in that respect wee ought to pitie those that are nothing neere vnto vs. But as in respect of succouring, euerie man must straine himselfe according to the neede that hee seeth, for I cannot iudge of those that are far off from me. But if I see a bodie in present necessitie; then must I be moued to pitie, and I must consider that God prouoketh and calleth me to the succoring of him that is in neede.