A17698:1988
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 we see to what purpose Moses commendeth here the tribe of Levy unto them. It was not so much for the profit of those that were to be maintained by the offerings, first fruits, and tithes; as for the common benefit of the whole people. For it was to the end they should be maintained altogether in the true union of faith, & that they might always have men to put them in mind to live in obedience towards God, and that the Religion might be preserved in the pureness thereof. This is not for the peculiar benefit of the Levites, but for the general welfare of the whole Church of God.
Now we see to what purpose Moses commendeth here the tribe of Leuie vnto them. It was not so much for the profite of those that were to be mainteyned by the offrings, first fruites, and tithes; as for the common benefit of the whole people. For it was to the end they should be mainteined altogether in the true vnion of faith, & that they might alwaies haue men to put them in mind to liue in obedience towardes God, and that the Religion might be preserued in ye purenes therof. This is not for ye peculiar benefite of ye Leuites, but for ye general welfare of the whole Church of God.
Now hereupon Moses repeateth the same thing again which I have expounded heretofore: that is to say, That the Jews might eat flesh through as all the land of Ivire, conditionally that the sacrifices were reserved for the sanctuary, & for the temple then the time were come that it were builded. I have told you already that the cause why God gave such leave, was to the end that men should learn to refrain from the attempting of any thing which they were not sure to be lawful for them to do. And how shall we know that the things which we do are acceptable to God? By having his word which he giveth us. For it is not for us to be further of his counsel, than he discloseth unto us. To be short, it is showed us here, that in all our life we must not stir one finger, except we be sure that GOD hath given us leave. Now he for his part leaveth us not in doubt, but hath given us a sure and unfallible rule, so as we may always discern the certainty at leastwise ⟨p. 515⟩