A17698:3259
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 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 §60deed as touching the world he cannot benefit me, he can neither cool me nor heat me: but before God such a blessing as proceedeth from him, shall be heard. If we consider this: is not the recompense which we shall have in the kingdom, better than all that which might be bestowed upon us in this frail and transitory life? Yes verily, if we have any faith; if we have any assurance of the heavenly life, and are not altogether beastly besotted with this present world.
Nowe this ought to teache vs, not to despise the poore, nor to disdayne to heare them, or to giue them a good looke: for God sayeth that hee heareth them, and that they are such as haue readiest accesse vnto him. They are heard both in their complaintes and in their prayers and petitions. For God doeth more for them by an hundredth part than wee which §50are but wormes of the earth, will vouchsafe to doe. The thing then which wee haue to beare in mynde is, that if a poore man come and desire helpe of vs, and wee thinke wee shall but loose that which we bestowe vppon him, because hee is not of abilitie to recompence vs, & that although hee should liue an hundred yeres after his death, yet he should not requite vs the good turne and pleasure hee receiued of vs. We ought to bethinke our selues thus: Well: in §60deede as touching the worlde he cannot benefite mee, he can neither coole me nor heat me: but before God such a blessing as proceedeth from him, shalbee heard. If wee consider this: is not the recompence which wee shal haue in the kingdome, better than all that which might be bestowed vppon vs in this frayle and transitory life? Yes verily, if wee haue any faith; if we haue any assurance of the heauenly life, and are not altogither beastly besotted with this present worlde.