A17698:3295
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.
WE have seen heretofore how God ordained, that in gathering in of the harvest,1 and of the grapes of the vineyard, they which were hired, might while they were reaping and gathering of the grapes, eat their fill. And this permission he gave unto them, to show, that the rich must not so swallow up all things, but §40that they must always bestow some portion on the poor; every man according unto the plenty and abundance which he hath. For see here with what condition God leaveth his goods in rich mens hands; namely, to the intent that having the ability, they should also take occasion to relieve their neighbours which are in necessity. And so this kindness and gentleness ought to be amongest us, that he which hath wherewithal to be liberal, should §50bestow some part of his abundance upon his neighbours. And although none be rated touching his liberality, by way of tax or sessement, yet nevertheless every man ought to think that God hath given him plenty of corn and wine upon condition, that he should bestow some part thereof on them which are in need and necessity. That which we have now recited, tendeth to the same effect. For God ordaineth that when a man cutteth down §60his harvest, gathereth his grapes; or beateth his Olive trees, (as we with us do our walnuts) he should not be so covetous as to •ake in the utmost ear of corn, to look for the last grape, or to seek after every Olive: but that he which gathereth in the corn of his field, should leave somewhat after him for the poor to glean, as for the fatherless, for the widows, and for the strangers which have no lands nor possessions of their own. Ye see what a reasonable law God setteth us down in this place, to the intent we should know, that if God hath given us abundance of goods beyond our own use, we ought not to be over niggish of them: but that they which stand in need, must be some way relieved and succoured by us. There is also a promise added to correct that distrust which is in men. For God sayeth that when men shall so do, he will increase their wealth which have been liberal to help the poor and needy. And besides this, he putteth the Jews in mind, that it is he by whom they were brought into that land which they possessed, & that they held it at his hand.