A17698:3533
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 are such folk worthy to live upon the earth? So then let us mark well Gods meaning: where he curseth all such as set the blind out of the way, or cause them to stumble. And let us gather §30that together which I have touched heretofore; which is, that here God doeth us to understand, that if any of our neighbours have need of our help, I must help him if I be of ability and have opportunity to do it, specially if it be no cost or charge to me. Nay, though it should be some cost unto us, yet are we bound to help such as are in need and distress: and what ought we then to do, when we shall but open our mouth to do it? In that case we be not •o disburse §40any thing, we be not in danger to loose either time or money, as they say; the thing is to be done of free cost. And shall we be so cruel, as to let a poor man sustain harm through our naughtiness? What a dealing were that? Do not such folk deserve to be confounded? But (as I said afore) this place treateth not of punishment to be executed by the earthly Judges. God telleth us that although such dealing be borne with, and that it be but laughed at: yet it shall come to §50account before him. Now sith it is so, let every man look to himself. And first let us beware, that when our neighbours are in any extremity; we also be pitiful moved with compassion to succour them. Therefore look as any man shall have need of our help; let us be prest and ready to reach out our hand and to lend it him. And specially if our Lord grant us the grace to be able to serve our neighbours turns, without straining of our selves for the matter, or without §60cost: let us understand that he doeth us great honour. For whosoever relieveth him that is in need, is the minister of GOD. Thus GOD employeth us in his service, and therewithal promiseth us that our labour shall not be lost; and ought not we then to be the more provoked thereunto? Mark this therefore for a special point. that such as are succourless, are here commended unto us by God. And moreover let us know, that if we be bound to guide the blind, least they should stumble or stray out of the way: we ought to be much more forward and ready to advise a man, when we see he hath need of counsel, and is like to fall into some danger for want of our advise. But yet much more ought the way of salvation to be privileged: