A17698:3284
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.
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;1 and that we must abstain from all wrong, deceits, and violence. He saith this in deed to all in general, but he saith not: Take heed of injuring and oppressing a rich man and one which is in credit and authority. For why? We are withheld from offering of such a one any wrong, because we are afraid of the like. But God sayeth: Let not any man grieve the poor man, let none afflict the stranger, let none trouble the fatherless, let none molest the widows. And why speaketh he thus of them? Because when we see that they are not defended by men, we think that they are set forth unto us, for an open pray. And it is the cause why we be so venturous beyond all reason & conscience, to snatch from them whatsoever we can take hold of. Let us therefore note well, that God in this place (as he hath done before) declareth, that he is the protector & defender of all such as are destitute of mans aid, and are not under propped in this world. And herein there are two points which we ought to note:
The thirde lawe which Moses addeth in this place is, That they shall not peruert the Iudgement and right of the straunger, that they shall not treade the fatherlesse vnder foote, that they shall not wring a pleadge from the widowe. And why? Remember (sayeth he) that thou wast a seruaunt in the Lande of Egypt, and that the Lorde thy GOD hath drawen thee out from thence, to the intent that thou shouldest pitie them which are afflicted, and that thou shouldest