A17698:2253
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 surely it were better that such rakehells were rooted out of the world, than that they should live among men. For they be monsters against kind, they be foul churls, that could find in their hearts to devour and swallow down all the world into their maws. Or rather they be men full of unbelief, which have no more trust in God than devils, bearing themselves in hand that the earth is not able to find them. By reason whereof if it come to the point that they must give any thing, it striketh them to the heart, it killeth them, insomuch that the asking of an Alms at their hand, is as the drawing of a sword to cut their throats. Therefore let us look to our selves, and when we hear our Lord speak of the not hardening of our hearts, let us begin at this point of kindness in having pity and compassion upon such as are in distress. And therewithal let our hand be at liberty afterward, in such sort as we may protest that we offer GOD a sacrifice with a free heart.
And surely it were better that such rakehelles were rooted out of the worlde, than that they should liue among men. For they bee monsters against kinde, they bee foule churles, that coulde finde in their hearts to deuour and swallowe downe all the worlde into their mawes. Or rather they bee men full of vnbeliefe, which haue no more trust in God than diuels, bearing themselues in hande that the earth is not able to finde them. By reason whereof if it come to the point that they must giue any thing, it striketh them to the heart, it killeth them, insomuch that the asking of an Almes at their hande, is as the drawing of a sworde to cut their throtes. Therefore let vs looke to our selues, and when we heare our Lord speake of the not hardening of our hearts, let vs beginne at this point of kindnesse in hauing pitie and compassion vpon such as are in distresse. And therewithall let our hande bee at libertie afterwarde, in such sort as wee may protest that wee offer GOD a sacrifice with a free heart.
And now Moses addeth, Beware that this wicked thought come not in thy heart to say, Behold, the Seventh year is at hand, and if I lend, my money must lie dead for the time. He calleth it a wicked thought when we be held back by it too much to our own profit, and in the mean while forsake the party that is in need. For were our thoughts well ruled, surely we should not be so greatly wedded to our own profit, but that we