A17698:1685
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 Moses addeth, That God hath given the Levites no portion among their brethren, but that he himself would be their portion and heritage. Yea, but yet §50for all that, he appointed them the tenths & firstfruits, as is showed in the fourth book of Moses.1 Now then, Gods assigning of a portion unto them was in such sort as they possessed not any Land or inheritance, more than their towns & suburbs for their cattle. But yet took they the tenths, firstfruits, & all other such things of all the people. Herein God had a consideration, that such as he meant to dedicate to the serving of himself, should be with drawn from all worldly affairs, that they might intend §60to the serving of God. Gods intent then was, that the Levites & their children should not give them selves to husbandry & such other things. And why For they had enough to do to discharge themselves of their duty otherwise: that is to wit, in calling upon the people to follow Gods commandments, & to keep his covenant, so as religion might continue unimpaired, & faith might have his full force, & so consequently that God might be honoured. Also they had the Sacrifices, which served them in steed of Sacraments, & at that time they were many in number, because the people could not otherwise be held in order: they would easily have bin marred, if they had not bin restrained with many bridles. That therefore was enough to keep the Levites occupied. And for the same cause God gave them a portion beside the tithes that they might have wherewith to find & maintain themselves, while they were a doing of their duties.
Now Moses addeth, That God hath giuen the Leuites no portion among their brethren, but that he himselfe would be their portion and heritage. Yea, but yet §50for all that, he appointed them ye tenthes & firstfruits, as is shewed in the fourth booke of Moses.1 Now then, Gods assigning of a portion vnto thē was in such sort as they possessed not any Lande or inheritance, more thā their townes & suburbs for their cattell. But yet tooke they the tenthes, firstfruits, & all other such things of all ye people. Herein God had a cōsideration, yt such as he mēt to dedicate to ye seruing of himselfe, should be wt drawen frō all worldly affaires, yt they might intend