A17698:2219
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.
And hereby it appeareth §10that such as have interpreted the seventh years compass to be the seventh years end, have been too grossly overseen. For the making of this law was in respect that the seventh year should be a year of solemn rest. Like as God had reserved one day in every week to be holy to himself: so also was it his will that every seventh year should be a high solemnity, so as the ground should not be tilled that year. The Land of Jury was battling enough to have §20borne all years, that is to say, men might have tilled and sowed the ground every year saving the seventh year. And that year was spared, not for fear least men should have worn away the heart of the soil too near: but to the end that the people should inure themselves continually to the day of rest, because it contained the chief point of the Law, that is to wit, that men ought to gather their wits to them, to give themselves wholly to §30the minding of Gods benefits, whereby it is showed them that they should renounce themselves, and refer themselves wholly to his holy spirit, to be so governed by him, as that their affections and thoughts may no more overmaster them. And indeed, because the Jews did break the day of rest, and the Prophets could not win them to yield to that which was commanded them: our Lord saith that he would punish them in such sort, that §40sith they would not, the Land should take rest for them.1 Forasmuch as you (sayeth he) will not keep the Sabbath days accordingly as I have ordained in my Law: I will shortly find out one that shall observe my Law, and that shall be the Land it self. For ye shall be driven out of it, and none shall be left in it to manure it; all the Sabbaths that have been broken must be put into a reckoning, that they may be recompensed again. Threescore and ten years §50were the people banished out of it. And look how many commandments there are, so many tokens were there continually of the solemn resting times. What resting times? Not every seventh day, or every seventh year only: but for the space of seventy years together was the Land to take rest. Ye see then that this seventh year was a confirmation of the fourth commandment of the law, that is to wit, of keeping holy the seventh day. For in