A17698:2361
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 to the end we may make our profit by it, let us call to mind the saying of the prophet O see accordingly also as it is alleged by our Lord Jesus Christ, that is to wit, that God requireth the sacrifice of Almsdeeds.1 As if he should say, that he is not contented that men should use some Ceremonies towards him, but will have us to be kindhearted in relieving such as have need of our help, if we have ability wherewith to do it. And §50if men play the thankless churls with us in forgetting the good which we have done them: it is enough for us that God alloweth our dealing, and putteth it into his book of accounts. Also let us bethink our selves how glad we would have been of relief, if ever we were in necessity, that the same may move us to pity, and that we be not blinded with our wealth. I say to such as have abundance, let them not lie weltering in their pleasures, and withdraw their §60hand from succouring the poor: but let them consider that if ever they themselves felt the want of these worldly goods, they would be glad that every man should reach out his hand to relieve them: and therefore let they themselves do the like. Yea and although we had never felt any want, yet let us consider that want may fall upon us hereafter. For what are we? No man can exempt himself from the stroke of God that he should not be driven to beg his bread, yea though he had all the goods of the world. Hereof we see great store of examples. Seeing it is so, let no man be proud of his goods, but let us all consider that we be men, and let us not despise our own flesh,2 as is said in the Prophet Isaiah. And let us not say, what be the widows? what be the fatherless children? what be the strangers to us? But seeing that God offereth & commendeth them to us, let us assure ourselves that we cannot have any folks more nigh unto us to whom to do good. For when we ween to bind men unto us, to have recompense at their hand; we shall be disappointed at all assays, and good right it is that it should be so. But as for the thing that is put into Gods hand, that cannot perish nor be lost. Let us mark then that Gods offering of the Strangers, the widows, and the fatherless unto us, is as if he should say, he made them his bailiffs to take up his Rents and Revenues.