A17698:450
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.
Likewise must we observe the same rightful and reasonable order of dealing, when GOD hath set us in one common weal. It was well known of the wretched Paynims, that there could be no good civill order in the world, if every man were given to his own profit.1 If the hand should separate it self and refuse to serve the rest of the body, and the rest of the members also: Ye see there would be a good sort of pieces: but in the mean while they should all die and of necessity ⟨p. 95⟩perish. In like case is it with men when they will needs draw back from the communion of life, which they ought to observe, and no man think upon the common profit, but take it to be sufficient that he can profit himself: for in the end all must needs go to havoc. But this is chiefly to be observed in the spiritual government of the Church,2 as Saint Paul showeth it us.3 For in the Church there is not only §10a resemblance of mans body, but the son of God is our head in very deed. It is of him that we be, and of him have we grace and power, in such portion and measure as it pleaseth him to bestow upon us. Seeing it is so: let us learn to maintain peace and brotherliness among us.4 And that we may so do: let every of us yield himself to his neighbours, and let us not be so wedded to our own peculiar advantage, that we should not take pain to pleasure all those with whom we be united.§20 Neither let us allege, what have I to do with the bearing of such a burden as should be too heavy for me, and which I cannot well away with? Let us beware that we hold not back after that sort, to maintain our selves in idleness. For according to the ability that God giveth us, so doth he bind us to serve our neighbours therewith. And why? For we be all members of one body: there needeth none other reason to move us than that. So then, to be short §30