A17698:3155
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.
As touching the conclusion of this whole matter, it hath been declared that when God forbade the Jews all manner of usury among them selves, it was to the end that men at these days should abstain from it, because he hath knit together the whole world in one selfsame bond. And sith we have been reconciled by our Lord Jesus Christ, we must lay aside all usuries and such other wicked trades, and not do §50otherwise unto any in the world than we would that other men should do unto us.1 For why? We are all neighbours, whether we be of the same country or farther off: and of what condition soever we be, we fail not to be of that neighbourhood which God hath established between us. And therefore let us come to that which is said in the fifteenth Psalm, that to be citizens of the Church of GOD, our trading must not be by usury, or such unlawful dealings §60whereby we spoil others of their goods, and gnaw them whom we ought rather to relieve. Briefly, let that teach us, not to do any thing unto others, which we would not have done unto our selves. For that is in very deed the effect of all, to the intent that men should not use any subtlety with GOD by cloaking any wicked contracts which might be to the damage and loss of other men. And let us further note diligently that whereof our Lord Jesus warneth us; that if we have the true perfectness which is required in all the children of God, we must lend & that without hoping for any thing,2 that is to say, we must not only abstain from all gain and increase, but if there be a poor man which can never be able to quite the good turn we do him with the like, there must our liberality be showed. For why? If we look for recompense, the heathen men do as much. But if we will have our service accepted of god, we must hope after no recompense in this world. Thus ye see how men ought to live together. First they must abstain from all manner of harm-doing, whether it be by deceit or by extortion: and then they must endeavour to help such as are in need. And so every man must consider of his own ability, & as he hath the means whereby he may do it, so he must relieve them which be in necessity and require his help.
As touching the conclusiō of this whole matter, it hath beene declared that when God forbade the Iewes all manner of vsurie among thē selues, it was to the end that men at these daies shoulde abstaine from it, because hee hath knit together the whole worlde in one selfesame bonde. And sith wee haue beene reconciled by our Lorde Iesus Christ, wee must lay aside all vsuries and such other wicked trades, and not doe