A17698:1970
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.
That which Moses addeth concerning the Levites, serveth for a further confirmation of that which he had spoken of their rejoicing or making merry in the presence of God. For (as I have declared already) God had appointed the towns of the Levites to be dispersed among the tribes, to the intent there should be good doctrine taught throughout §20the whole country.1 We know what the state of that tribe was, namely how it is said in the second of the Prophet Malachi, that the lips of the priest ought to teach knowledge,2 & that men should seek for good doctrine at his mouth, & that the Priests were as the messengers of the living God. God then had chosen the tribe of Levy to be continually among his people, to hold them in the true and pure religion. For had they bin placed all together in some corner by themselves, after §30the same manner that the rest of the tribes were in their portions; all the people besides had bin with out teaching. But inasmuch as there was no tribe where the Levites had not some town allotted to them; by that means the seed of Gods word was spread abroad, so as the persons whom God had ordained to govern his Church & to have the charge of mens souls; were so dispersed that the land was furnished with them throughout. And now it is said that the Israelites shall make merry §40with the Levites that were mingled among them. And why? For they might hold the people in some awe. Though there had bin some unruly persons, yet if they had seen the Levites, who bare their marks, & were specially chosen to the spiritual government of the Church: it would have bin a bridle to restrain them withal. Thus the Lord seeing the frailty of his people, gave them this help to hold them in order & modesty. As if he should say, True it is that I have chosen you for mine §50inheritance, & you be ye people whom I have dedicated to my self: but yet is there a special holiness in the Levites, because they press into the Tabernacle, and are appointed to teach you the law, and to keep you from running into superstition, & from starting aside to strange gods. Seeing then that I have committed this charge to my Levites: let them be in your company, that by your beholding of them you may be the more provoked to fear me, and to be merry after