A17698:997
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.
Hereby we see that theft is committed, not only by taking away of money and other things with our hands: but also by withholding a mans own from him, and by neglecting to preserve the things that God hath put into our hands, according as his will is that every man should keep that which he hath. As for example: If a servant waste or devour his masters goods, he is a thief. If a labouring man look to have his wages, and in the mean while love to loiter and to have his hand in the platter: surely he is a thief, and we can well skill to deem him so. But it were expedient for us to come to the other kinds also, and to make this comparison, that if we render not every man the right that belongeth to him, such unindifferent dealing shall always be taken for theft before God, and we shall be condemned for it.
Hereby wee see that theft is committed, not onely by taking away of mony and other thinges with our handes: but also by withholding a mās owne from him, and by neglecting to preserue the thinges that God hath put into our handes, according as his will is that euery man shoulde keepe that which he hath. As for example: If a seruant waste or deuour his maisters goods, hee is a thiefe. If a laboring man look to haue his wages, and in the meane while loue to loyter and to haue his hand in the platter: surely hee is a theefe, and wee can well skill to deeme him so. But it were expedient for vs to come to the other kindes also, and to make this comparison, that if wee render not euery man the right yt belongeth to him, such vnindifferent dealing shall alwayes bee taken for theft before God, and wee shall bee condemned for it.
But now remaineth to see how we may live in such sort, as God may not curse us as if we were thieves. The first point thereof is to learn to love our neighbours, as Saint Paul showeth in the thirteenth to the Romans.1 And it is a wonder that men should make so light of the ⟨p. 232⟩