A17698:2250
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.
Thus ye see why Moses hath set it down expressly, that men should have a regard of those that are within their gates. The heathen could well skill to say, that although all mankind be allied together; yet notwithstanding, the neighbours that are acquainted one with another, ought to use a special friendliness in succouring one another. And in deed, even without any reading of the holy scripture, every man can well skill to say in his own behalf when his neighbour faileth him, Howe now? what neighbourhood is this? And who teacheth them the lesson? Nature. Here therefore our Lord telleth us that if we perceive any of our neighbours to be in necessity, it ought to stir us up, so as if we be not too unnatural, we must needs be touched with it without any further putting of us in mind thereof. For the ⟨p. 581⟩thing it self speaketh when we see our neighbour so distressed.
Thus yee see why Moses hath set it downe expresly, that men shoulde haue a regarde of those that are within their gates. The heathen coulde well skill to saye, that although all mankinde bee alyed together; yet notwithstanding, the neighbours that are acquainted one with another, ought to vse a speciall friendlinesse in succouring one another. And in deede, euen without anie reading of the holie scripture, euerie man can well skill to saye in his owne behalfe when his neighbour faileth him, Howe nowe? what neybourhood is this? And who teacheth them ye lesson? Nature. Here therefore our Lord telleth vs that if we perceiue any of our neighbors to be in necessitie, it ought to stirre vs vp, so as if wee bee not too vnnatural, wee must needes be touched with it wtout any further putting of vs in mind therof. For the ⟨p. 581⟩thing it selfe speaketh when we see our neighbor so distressed.
Now he addeth further, Thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand. He might well have begun at this point, Thy hand shall not be shut, for that is the matter which he tendeth to in effect. But it is not for nought that he saith, Thou shalt not shut up thy heart. For why, his intent is to prevent the thing that hindereth our welldoing & our succouring of our