A17698:2285
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.
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,1 & when the books of account shall be laid open?2 Will there be any excuse then? No: for then even the secretest things shall be laid open; and what will become then of the things that are apparently known? Shall a man escape the judgement of God, when he is found to be a niggard and a churl even before men? So then let us beware that we behave our selves well in this behalf: and for the better doing thereof, let every of us mark the form of speech which the holy Ghost useth in this text, forasmuch as it serveth to search us to the bottom, to the intent that whereas every of us hides himself away when he should do an good no man should shrink back, but every man put forth himself according to his ability & state.
Therewithall let vs wey well the words wherin our Lord maketh an inquisition of euery mans goods, & let vs consider howe it serueth to shewe vs that in the ende wee must come to account, so as wee may not thinke to slip the colar and to shift our handes by saying, Do what I can, I shall not bee well reported of for my labour: after which sort some folkes continually repine when they bee spoken to concerning almesdeedes, to whome it seemeth to bee as good as haling of them to the galowes, if ye do but speake to them of the opening of their purses. To the end therfore that wee shoulde not imagine that such shiftes can goe for paiment before God: let vs marke well howe hee telleth vs here, that he forgetteth not what hee hath giuen vs, but can very well cast vs in the teeth with it. And seeing he casteth vs in the teeth with it alreadie in this worlde; what will he do when all things shalbee brought to light,