A17698:3256
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 intent we should be the easier led hereunto, Moses allegeth in this place two reasons the better to persuade us. First he sayeth: That he unto whom we shall restore and bring the pledge again, shall bless us. And secondly he addeth: That it shall be righteousness unto us before the Lord our God. Now these two reasons are not superfluous, considering what holdfasts we are, and how every one will safely provide for himself. We think that the whole earth will fail us; and when we lend, it is with an heavy heart: when the money is once scaped out of our hands, we think our selves so much impaired, and we fetch deep sighs for it. God therefore seeing men so given unto their own lucre, and that they have no freehearted liberality, or at least wise are not so much inclined unto it as were requisite, useth first a persuasion and sayeth: That the poor shall bless us, that is to say, he shall pray for us.
Nowe to the intent wee shoulde be the easier led heereunto, Moses alleageth in this place two reasons the better to persuade vs. First he sayeth: That hee vnto whome wee shall restore and bring the pledge againe, shall blesse vs. And secondly hee addeth: That it shalbee righteousnesse vnto vs before the Lorde our God. Nowe these two reasons are not superfluous, considering what holdfastes we are, and how euery one wil safely prouide for himselfe. We think that the whole earth will fayle vs; and when wee lende, it is with an heauie heart: when the money is once scaped out of our handes, wee thinke our selues so much impayred, and wee fetch deepe sighes for it. God therefore seeing men so giuen vnto their owne lucre, and that they haue no freehearted liberalitie, or at least wise are not so much enclyned vnto it as were requisite, vseth first a perswasion and sayeth: That the poore shall blesse vs, that is to say, hee shall pray for vs.
Now I know, that the wealthy, and these great devourers, and these seagulls which ⟨p. 855⟩seek nought else but to swallow up all, will make none account of this blessing. Tush (say they) he is but a poor beggarly knave, and what care I whether he pray for me or no. See I pray you what these despisers of God, & these heathenish folk say. But let us note well, that it is not without cause that God declareth in this place, that it is a singular benefit to have a poor man pray for us. For if a poor man cry (as it is said) he shall be heard.