A17698:3368
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.
And sith we see so many laws tending all to this end, that no man should be deceived, but that every man should have his right; let us always remember this saying,1 That GOD will have mercy, judgement and justice. And therefore let us have compassion on them which are in necessity, to relieve and succour them. And secondly let us not only yield to every man his right, but also when we see any man wrong his neighbour, let us not suffer it, nor be consenting unto it in any case. Lo wherein we exercise our selves if we will order our life according to the will of GOD. For except we do so, what fair countenance soever we set upon things, yet all shall be but detestable hypocrisy in the sight of GOD, until we have learned to live charitably with our Neighbours, ⟨p. 886⟩and to observe this uprightness which nature hath taught us,2 of not doing otherwise unto others than we would have done unto our selves. Here withal also we be made to know our own naughtiness. For it were enough to have warned us in one word, if we were disposed to do well, and had not such a rebelliousness within us, that we ever draw backward from that which is good. Then if men were inclined of themselves to do §10right and to exercise humanity: it were enough to make but a sign unto them, and to say: Ye see what your duty is: But now God is fain to make often repetitions, he is fain to strengthen the laws which he hath given, he is fain to expound them, he is fain to heap commandment upon commandment. And what is the cause hereof, but that we are overhard to be ruled, and that our desires are as fell and furious beasts: so that one bond is §20not strong enough to bind us, but we must be hampered with many cords, nay we must have chains and fetters laid on us? So then let us know that our wills and minds are far from being disposed to obey God. And therefore let every man quicken up and enforce himself the more, considering how it is not without cause that God maketh so often rehearsal of that which serveth to bring us to brotherly faithfulness and friendship; forasmuch as §30we draw clean backward from that which he commandeth as I have told you before. Moreover let us bear in mind, that the more a thing maketh to the common benefit of all, the better is it always to be observed.