A17698:3258
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.
Also on the contrary side when a poor man having received relief of any man, shall §30say: Blessed be he which took pity on me. This word is as if an Angel of heaven had made suite for him. Now seeing God sayeth it is so, let us not think that it is in vain, or by way of mockery. And therefore let us learn to esteem more than we are wont to do, of the prayers which the poor make that are relieved and succoured by us. For although we bear our selves in hand that they are nothing, yet hath God declared of what force they are, & §40commendeth them unto us in this place for a singular thing.
Also on the contrarie side when a poore man hauing receiued releefe of any man, shall §30say: Blessed bee hee which tooke pitie on mee. This woorde is as if an Angell of heauen had made suite for him. Nowe seeing God sayeth it is so, let vs not thinke that it is in vayne, or by way of mockerie. And therefore let vs learne to esteeme more than wee are wont to doe, of the prayers which the poore make that are relieued and succoured by vs. For although we beare our selues in hand that they are nothing, yet hath God declared of what force they are, & §40commendeth them vnto vs in this place for a singular thing.
Now this ought to teach us, not to despise the poor, nor to disdain to hear them, or to give them a good look: for God sayeth that he heareth them, and that they are such as have readiest access unto him. They are heard both in their complaints and in their prayers and petitions. For God doeth more for them by an hundredth part than we which §50are but worms of the earth, will vouchsafe to do. The thing then which we have to bear in mind is, that if a poor man come and desire help of us, and we think we shall but loose that which we bestow upon him, because he is not of ability to recompense us, & that although he should live an hundred years after his death, yet he should not requite us the good turn and pleasure he received of us. We ought to bethink our selves thus: Well: in