A17698:2220
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.
To the end that folk should have the better leisure to give themselves to the serving of God, and be not so much letted by their business, as indeed they had the more liberty to mind this lesson, and to be well instructed in the doctrine of God. And for the same cause also was it commanded, that the book of the Law should be read openly every seventh year at the feast of Tabernacles, as we shall see hereafter in the one and thirtieth Chapter.
To the ende that folke shoulde haue the better leasure to giue themselues to the seruing of God, and be not so much letted by their busines, as indeed they had the more libertie to minde this lesson, and to bee well instructed in the doctrine of God. And for the same cause also was it commaunded, that the booke of the Lawe shoulde bee read openly euerie seuenth yeare at the feast of Tabernacles, as wee shall see hereafter in the one and thirtith Chapter.
Now that we have Gods meaning, which is that his ordaining of the seventh year was to the end that the people should have some easement: let us assure our selves that the sabbath day was not enjoined without cause. Not only to give men to understand that our Lord had forbidden that any man should be sued for his debts that year (for that was likewise done every week): but also to avow the thing which we see objected in the eight and fiftieth of Isaiah,1 against such as through hypocrisy observed the feast, but yet ceased not any whit the more to sue for their debts. Verily I am much beholden to you, saith the Lord: for ye say ye have fasted, and observed my Ceremonies. But yet is all that ever ye have done, nothing worth: for the very substance of it wanteth; whereas ye should be pitiful to your neighbours, ye do nothing else but fleece them and persecute them to the uttermost. And surely that is a goodly observing of the Sabbath. Therefore do I renounce you, and I disavow all your doings, sayeth the Lord.
Nowe that we haue Gods meaning, which is that his ordeining of the seuenth yeare was to the end that the people should haue some easement: let vs assure our selues that the saboth day was not inioyned without cause. Not onely to giue men to vnderstand that our Lorde had forbidden that any man should be sued for his dets that yeare (for that was likewise done euerie weeke): but also to auow the thing which we see obiected in the eight and fiftith of Esay,