A17698:3336
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.
But yet nevertheless God hath not in this place respected simply the brute beasts: as S. Paul also showeth in the ninth Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians.1 Hath God care of Oxen, (saith he?) S. Paul meaneth not by these words, that God careth not for the beasts which he hath created, as we have already declared: for then should he gainsay all the holy scripture: and experience also showeth us that God must needs have a care to provide for the beasts. For the earth yieldeth not fruit of it self; but as it hath virtue given unto it from above. When we see herbs and such like things to grow, we are given to understand thereby, that God is the purveyor for the whole world, even for the beasts of the earth, and for the birds, and for all things. He provideth them of food to nourish them withal. By this (I say) we see, that God hath a care of oxen: but S Paul meaneth that his principal care is not for them. He treateth purposely of the ministers maintenance, and saith, that they ought to be fed and sustained, and not scanted of their living: and he showeth that seeing they are appointed of God to deliver forth food for mens souls, it were an overgreat wickedness & cruelty to abridge them of such wages as is due unto them. And heerewithall to make them the more ashamed which would play the niggards in this behalf, he saith unto them: What? God hath not only ordained that the man which laboureth should be fed and maintained, but he speaketh of oxen also. Is it because he hath a care of them? That is to say, is it because that oxen are in the highest and most sovereign degree? No. For we know that the oxen were created for mens sakes. Let us cast our eye on all things whether they be above or beneath, in heaven or in earth; and we shall see that all is for our use and profit. When God created the sun, it was not to lighten himself, but to give light unto us. As much is to be said of the Moon and of the stars: they are ordained to serve us, as it hath bin elsewhere already declared. Again, although the earth bring forth herbs for the brute beasts, yet nevertheless all is referred unto men, and God would have us to acknowledge therein his fatherly goodness, and the great love which he useth towards us.
But yet neuerthelesse God hath not in this place respected simply the brute beastes: as S. Paule also sheweth in the ninth Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians.1