A17698:2195
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.
If the place (saith Moses) be too far from thee, thou shalt sell the things which thou wart minded to offer, or the things which thou oughtest to offer. For it behoved them to offer the first borne of all their cattle. Now they that dwell in the uttermost coasts of Jewry should have had much ado to drive thither their Lambs, Sheep, Goats, and Calves. Therefore they were to be borne withal: and God being no oppressor of §50his people, giveth them here a remedy, to the intent they should not be grieved too much. As for those that dwell near to Jerusalem saith he, let them bring thither as well the first borne of their cattle, as also all their freewill offerings, and whatsoever other things they have dedicated unto God. For otherwise the City of Jerusalem might be famished. If all that had come thither should have bought their sacrifices there: what a thing had that bin? Therefore §60it was Gods will that men should bring them thither from all the countries, unless the places were overfar off. And in that case he saith it should be Lawful for them to sell the things that they had dedicated, namely such as were due by commandment of the Law: as the first borne things, in remembrance that God had smitten the firstborn of Egypt,1 and spared the firstborn of Israel, whereof he would have the memorial to continue for ever. Thou shalt sell it (saith he,) & put up the money, or fold it up (for so doth the word signify which he useth.) Fold up the money in thy hand (saith he:) that is to say, consider with your selves that that money is none of your own, but that it must be put up alone by it self as a holy thing. And when thou comest to Jerusalem, thou shalt buy thine offerings after thine own liking, and after that the same hath bin offered in the Temple, the Priests shall take their dues thereof, & then shall you eat and drink thereof before the Lord as soon as you have made your oblation thereof, and you shall be merry in eating of your sacrifices, as far as every mans portion will extend. That is the thing in effect which we have to remember in this text.
If the place (sayth Moses) bee too farre from thee, thou shalt sell the thinges which thou wart minded to offer, or the thinges which thou oughtest to offer. For it behoued them to offer the first borne of all their cattell. Nowe they that dwell in the vttermost coastes of Iewry should haue had much ado to driue thither their Lambs, Sheepe, Goates, and Calues. Therefore they were to be borne withall: and God being no oppresser of