A17698:2256
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.
Yea and even where our money may seem to be cast into the water, insomuch that we have succoured such a man as it may be said▪ Verily this is quite lost for aught that I can see? Yea verily, as to the worldwarde. But our Lord sayeth▪ 1I receive it: ye think ye put your alms into a mortal mans hand, but it is I that become debtor for it. Although all things be his, yet bindeth he himself in the person of the poor; and should then any niggardliness stay us from succouring those whom God offereth unto us, seeing he setteth them as in his own stead, and avoweth all to be done to himself which is done to them?
Yea and euen where our money may seeme to bee cast into the water, insomuch that wee haue succoured such a man as it may bee saide▪ Verily this is quite lost for aught that I can see? Yea verily, as to the worldwarde. But our Lorde saieth▪ 1I receiue it: yee thinke yee put your almes into a mortall mans hande, but it is I that become detter for it. Although all thinges bee his, yet bindeth he himself in the person of the poore; and shoulde then any nigardlynesse stay vs from succoring those whom God offereth vnto vs, seeing he setteth them as in his owne steede, and auoweth all to be done to himselfe which is done to them?
- 1Mat. •••
Moreover let us mark that Moses speaketh here, of such as are in need. For God meant not to maintain wicked folk in idleness & naughtiness. The man that seeketh to wast away other mens goods, and to defraud his Creditors, is not commended unto us here of God: but he speaketh directly of mercy. And that is the cause why he sayeth, Thou shalt not harden thy heart. For if we have not that discretion: do what Almsdeeds we will, and yet shall none of them be acceptable. Wherefore let us mark, that here God speaketh not in favour of all men, but only setteth before us such as are in need & wot not what to do, and should perish in distress if they were not relieved. Those are they which are to be helped according to our ability. True it is, that to make a Law of it, it is not possible. God hath set this order among his people, that the poor should be succoured. But he hath not told with what sum, nor how oftentimes: he hath not made a tax of it, to say that every man should bear thus much; Only we must resort to this which S. Paul saith,