A17698:2284
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 although there were no Judge to condemn me, nor law to accuse me▪ yet doeth mine own conscience suffice in that it §60findeth fault with me. Thus we see, that although this law belonged peculiarly to the state of the Jewish common weal, where this kind of bondage was used: yet notwithstanding it containeth a lesson beneficial to us at this day: that it to wit, that it behooveth us to use our servants in such wise, as they be not oppressed beyond measure, nor cruelly handled; and secondly that we be kindhearted towards every of them, to do them good, and to show in very deed that we be willing to agree to his good will. For it is not enough for the mouth to speak unless the hand be answerable to the same. That is the thing in effect, which we have to mark upon this text.
For although there were no Iudge to condemne mee, nor lawe to accuse mee▪ yet doeth mine owne conscience suffice in that it §60findeth fault with mee. Thus wee see, that although this lawe belonged peculiarly to ye state of the Iewish common weale, where this kind of bondage was vsed: yet notwithstanding it containeth a lesson beneficial to vs at this day: that it to wit, that it behooueth vs to vse our seruants in such wise, as they bee not oppressed beyonde measure, nor cruelly handled; and secondly that wee be kindhearted towardes euery of them, to do them good, and to shewe in very deede that wee be willing to agree to his good will. For it is not ynough for the mouth to speake vnlesse the hande be aunswerable to the same. That is the thing in effect, which wee haue to marke vppon this text.
Therewithal let us weigh well the words wherein our Lord maketh an inquisition of every mans goods, & let us consider how it serveth to show us that in the end we must come to account, so as we may not think to slip the collar and to shift our hands by saying, Do what I can, I shall not be well reported of for my labour: after which sort some folks continually repine when they be spoken to concerning almsdeeds, to whom it seemeth to be as good as haling of them to the gallows, if ye do but speak to them of the opening of their purses. To the end therefore that we should not imagine that such shifts can go for payment before God: let us mark well how he telleth us here, that he forgetteth not what he hath given us, but can very well cast us in the teeth with it. And seeing he casteth us in the teeth with it already in this world; what will he do when all things shall be brought to light,