A17698:2269
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.
for it was all one as if he had said, that it was no ordinary service that he required, nor for his own person, nor for the person of God his father, that men should present him with the precious things of this world: for he had no need of them: but his will was that look whatsoever men were willing to bestow upon him they should bestow it upon the poor. And here let us mark well, that as I have touched afore) y• almsdeeds which we do to the poor, are accepted of God as sacrifices done unto him. Therefore let us not deceive ourselves in our offering unto him,1 as though he received any thing at our hands: for he doth send us back again, to do good to such as stand in need of our help.
for it was all one as if he had sayd, that it was no ordinarie seruice that he required, nor for his own person, nor for the person of God his father, that men shoulde present him with the precious thinges of this world: for he had no need of thē: but his will was yt looke whatsoeuer men were willing to bestowe vpō him they shold bestow it vpon ye poore. And here let vs mark wel, yt as I haue touched afore) y• almesdeedes which we do to ye poore, are accepted of God as sacrifices done vnto him. Therefore let vs not deceiue ourselues in our offering vnto him,1 as though he receiued any thing at our hands: for he doth send vs backe agayne, to doe good to such as stand in neede of our helpe.
Had this lesson bin well borne in mind, the wretched world had not so misspent their labour and money in foolish pomps, as we see they have done in the Popedom, where they use a great sort of lights, & a number of other petty trifles. And why is that? O they think that GOD taketh pleasure in paintings, in imagery, and in such other gewgaws. That is the thing wherein the world is wholly occupied: and in the mean while the poor are let alone and forgotten. Contrariwise, our Lord Jesus telleth us that it is the thing whereby God will try whether we be willing to honour him or no. For (as I have declared already) he could well make all men rich: but he sendeth us poor folk, to give us occasion to keep our selves occupied, if we have any desire to show to whom we think