A17696:63
Sermon of Master John Calvin, on the history of Melchizedek Wherein is also handled,…Sermon of Maister Iohn Caluin, on the historie of Melchisedech Wherein is also handled,…
Sermon of Master John Calvin, on the history of Melchizedek Wherein is also handled, Abraham's courage in rescuing his nephew Lot: and his Godliness in paying tithes to Melchizedek. Also, Abraham's faith, in believing God: comprehending four sermons. And, Abraham's obedience, in offering his son Isaac; in three sermons. Translated out of French, by Thomas Stocker, Gent.Sermon of Maister Iohn Caluin, on the historie of Melchisedech Wherein is also handled, Abrahams courage in rescuing his nephew Lot: and his Godliness in paying tithes to Melchisedech. Also, Abrahams faith, in belieuing God: comprehending foure sermons. And, Abrahams obedience, in offering his sonne Isaack; in three sermons. Translated out of French, by Thomas Stocker, Gent.
London: printed by John Windet, 1592London: printed by Iohn Windet, 1592
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
which was done not only because they should honour him with the fruits of the earth, with protestation that they came all of his mere bounteous liberality: neither was it simply for the maintenance of the Ministers of the Altar, that is to say, for the maintenance of those that served in the temple: but because they came of the seed of Abram. So that one part of the land belonged unto them, who were to take possession thereof,1 as it was said to Abram: Thy seed shall possess the land. Levi should have bin a chief man in the house of Abram: and yet he was thrust out of it: & in stead of him, were two chief men made of the house of Joseph: to wit, Ephraim and Manasseh. Here we see that Levi was deprived of his inheritance, albeit ⟨p. 69⟩•t was before assigned unto him by God him self. And that is the reason why his successors are recompensed with tithes. Now God did this for two reasons: the first is, because they should not be distracted neither from the service which was committed to their charge, ne yet from doctrine. For God chose not the priests under the law, for performing of the ceremonies only: but for another reason of which the Prophet Malachi speaketh:2 that is, he ordained them to be his Ambassadors, to the end we should demand from their lips the true knowledge & pure interpretation of the law. Wherefore because the priests might have leisure enough to attend upon the service of the Temple, and to teach the people: the tithes were appointed for them. And for that cause also, were they dispersed all the country over. They had no several and proper partition, to say that they might dwell in any one certain country as the rest did: but were sown here and there: to the end there should be no corner in the world where God not would have his messengers & lawyers to keep his people in awe. Here (I say) we see the reason why GOD would have them to have the tithes, and not busy themselves about tilling and sowing of the earth. The second reason is this, that if they had possessed the earth, God had not ⟨p. 70⟩been known to be Lord and master as he was, when as Levitical priests were become as it were his Receivers, and had sent them in his name to take upon them the superiority, & to demand the homage which was due unto him upon the earth.