A17698:2273
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.
Now remaineth to put this doctrine in practise. First of all we must understand, that according to the greatness of mens necessities, God stirreth us up ever to do them the more good, & it is then chief time to strain our selves, when there is any famine or dearth. For then men ought rather to cut their own morsels short, than to suffer others to want, themselves living so in excess. And whereas many men take occasion to pinch when they see a deer year, bearing themselves in hand that it serveth their turn well to make their hand the better: Let us understand that our Lord doth then cite us, and declare unto us that if ever we be minded to do him homage with the goods that he hath put into our hands, he will have us to utter it at that time. Let that serve for one point. And whereas we see many poor folk in necessity; let us assure our selves that our Lord warneth us that it is as a waking of us from sleep; and that because we have not bin sufficiently mindful of our duty, our Lord cometh to put us in remembrance of that which he had commanded us: and that if we be not too lazy, we must needs enforce our selves, to consider every of us the measure that is given him & the ability of his power, & thereafter employ himself. This is the thing that we have to mark in the first place.
Now remaineth to put this doctrine in practise. First of all we must vnderstand, that according to the greatnesse of mens necessities, God stirreth vs vp euer to doe them the more good, & it is then chiefe time to streine our selues, whē there is any famine or dearth. For then men ought rather to cut their owne morsels shorte, than to suffer others to want, themselues liuing so in excesse. And whereas many men take occasion to pinche when they see a deere yeere, bearing themselues in hand that it serueth their turne well to make their hand the better: Let vs vnderstand that our Lord doth then cite vs, and declare vnto vs that if euer we be minded to doe him homage with the goods that hee hath put into our handes, hee will haue vs to vtter it at that time. Let that serue for one point. And whereas we see many poore folke in necessitie; let vs assure our selues that our Lord warneth vs that it is as a waking of vs from sleepe; and that because wee haue not bin sufficiently mindefull of our duetie, our Lord commeth to put vs in remembrance of that which he had commaunded vs: and that if we be not too lazie, we must needes inforce our selues, to consider euery of vs the measure that is giuen him & the abilitie of his power, & thereafter imploy himself. This is ye thing that wee haue to marke in the first place.