A17698:3283
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.
If I hold him not up by the chin, if I seek not to violate and corrupt justice, I shall not be thought to have dealt with him like a §40kinsman, like a friend or like a neighbour. But we see what is said to the contrary: namely, that he which hath offended, shall bear his own sin. Therefore when we see any one to offend, let it grieve us, let us endeavour to the utmost of our power to bring him into the way again: but yet for all that, let us beware that we wrap not our selves in his condemnation, seeing God hath exempted us out of it. And that is a thing which we have to remember yet further §50upon this place.
If I holde him not vp by the chinne, if I seeke not to violate and corrupt iustice, I shall not be thought to haue dealt with him like a §40kinsman, like a friende or like a neighbour. But we see what is sayde to the contrarie: namely, that hee which hath offended, shall beare his owne sinne. Therefore when wee see any one to offend, let it grieue vs, let vs indeuour to the vtmost of our power to bring him into the way againe: but yet for all that, let vs beware that we wrap not our selues in his condemnation, seeing God hath exempted vs out of it. And that is a thing which wee haue to remember yet further §50vpon this place.
The third law which Moses addeth in this place is, That they shall not pervert the Judgement and right of the stranger, that they shall not tread the fatherless under foot, that they shall not wring a pledge from the widow. And why? Remember (sayeth he) that thou wast a servant in the Land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy GOD hath drawn thee out from thence, to the intent that thou shouldest pity them which are afflicted, and that thou shouldest §60not grieve them. We have already seen heretofore, that as men are of less credit and countenance touching the world, so are they more specially recommended unto our care by God. For they which have means to help themselves, seek not willingly either to this or to that man for help. For why? They can help themselves well enough. He that hath good friends, and is of credit carrieth his privilege, to get him favour himself: a rich man likewise and he that hath policy and courage in his dealings. For men are afraid to deal with them, they dare not offer to tread them under foot, because they see they are able to work their own revenge. And that is the cause why God maketh no mention of such persons. It is true in deed that generally he always appointeth us this rule, Not to do unto others otherwise than we would have done unto ourselves;