A17698:338
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.
Now then we be taught, first not to pass whether men acknowledge the good that we have done them or no. For albeit that we may seem to lose the thing that we shall have done: yet let it suffice us that GOD alloweth our obedience, in that he sayeth, be kindhearted towards all men. And when we shall have endeavoured to do good to all men, without hurting of any man: if men acknowledge it not, but do the contrary unto us: very well, let us not pass for it, but let us bear their unthankfulness patiently. For why? We have served GOD, who will not forget what we have done. Therefore if the world be set upon such frowardness, as we may be occasioned to feel some grief and impatience: yet must we still keep on our course, which God hath commanded us. Mark that for one point.
Nowe then wee bee taught, first not to passe whether men acknowledge ye good that we haue done them or no. For albeit that wee may seeme to lose the thing that wee shall haue done: yet let it suffise vs that GOD alloweth our obedience, in that hee saieth, bee kindeharted towardes all men. And when wee shall haue indeuoured to doe good to all men, without hurting of any man: if men acknowledge it not, but doe the contrarie vnto vs: verie well, let vs not passe for it, but let vs beare their vnthankefulnesse patiently. For why? Wee haue serued GOD, who will not forget what wee haue done. Therefore if the worlde bee set vppon such frowardnesse, as wee may bee occasioned to feele some griefe and impatiencie: yet must wee still keepe on our course, which God hath commaunded vs. Marke that for one point.
And it is a very needful lesson in these days. For if we should fall to reckoning of our cards, before we would show any kindness one to another: ⟨p. 70⟩what a thing were that? When should a man begin to do good? [never:] for we see how all the world is so corrupted, as is pitiful to think. It seemeth that we cast our good turns into the throats of wolves or mad dogs, and that it is nothing else but a provoking of their malice more and more, which seek to abuse our simplicity. But yet for all that, it behoveth us to have an eye to that which God commandeth.