A17698:2278
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.
But now let us come again to the Law that is given here to the Jews. It is said that such as were sold should serve by the space of six years: and the seventh year is privileged here in honour of the Sabbath day, that is to say of the rest, whereby our Lord meant always to reduce the Jews to gentleness, by bringing them back to himself. As if he should say, assure your selves that your using of such mercy towards your neighbours, is an acceptable service unto me. For the day of rest was the very mark of Gods spiritual service, as is declared unto us in many places of the scripture,1 both in Exodus & Ezekiel where our Lord speaketh precisely of the day of rest, & also in yt xvii. Chapter of Jeremiah. Yea & he speaketh in such wise of it, as though all his service consisted therein. And why is that? Because that on the day of rest, he called the people to himself, as if he should say, know me, let me be worshipped, let every man give his mind to consider my goodness, my Justice, my wisdom, & my power. And therewithal rest your selves in me, and let every of you forbear his own will, and his own likings, that ye may be, as it were subjected under my yoke, and I govern you. We see then that the day of rest was as the principal service of God. Now forasmuch as men cannot acquaint themselves with the doing of good to their neighbours, nor will willingly give over their right when they have them at a vantage, & can hardly ⟨p. 588⟩be drawn to do so much as they ought to do. Therefore doth our Lord set this before them here, and say, such as release their bondservants do me acceptable service, whereof I give them the day of rest for a sign & sure token. Seeing then that I set between you and me, this token & warrant, know ye that your giving of release to your bondservants is by mine authority, so as I am among you & overrule you in that act, and your doing of it is for my sake. Though ye §10have no regard of men, because ye think ye should not owe them so much service, at leastwise yet consider how much you be bound to me. Thus ye see now to what end the seventh year was assigned. Six years (saith he) shall they serve you, & the seventh year you shall let them go. And he contenteth not himself with the only releasing of the bond servants, but he will also have men to give them somewhat wherewith to set up their trade. And not without cause: