A17698:2357
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 it is said, That the people shall resort to Jerusalem to offer freewill offerings. God pointeth out these things more particularly in the §30three and twentieth of Leviticus,1 where he showeth what offerings were to be made on the behalf of the people. Howbeit, he speaketh there but of every particular person, and he saith, Ye shall bring offerings according to your devotion. For although there was a law certain; yet behooved it their offerings to be made with a free will, and not as by compulsion, accordingly as it is said,2 that God loveth such as offer unto him willingly and not as of necessity.§40 Ye shall see many that will be liberal to Godward; howbeit, it is but a thing of constraint, which kind of dealing God utterly misliketh. A man may spoil himself of all his goods, and yet do God no such service as he shall like well of, if it be not matched with his freewill, as I said afore. Besides this, GOD left it to every mans own choice to offer what he thought best, but yet he addeth according as the Lord thy God shall have blessed thee. To the intent §50that men should not withhold through nigardshippe, as they be commonly wont to do: God putteth them here in mind of his blessing: as if he had said, be well advised, true it is that in this case I lay the bridle on your necks, offer what you your selves think good, I mean not to enforce you to any thing, I would have the offerings which you bring unto me, to be of a free will. But yet for all that, ye must come to account for it. Who is he that blesseth §60you▪ If ye have had a good and plentiful harvest, to whom are you beholden for it? Ought ye not to consider how it is I that have opened my hand wide, to the end that your hearts also should open themselves wide on their part? Know ye therefore that I have allured you, by multiplying you; wherefore when ye have a good crop, look that ye employ your selves so much the freelier in doing my service.
Nowe it is saide, That the people shall resorte to Ierusalem to offer freewill offerings. God pointeth out these thinges more particularly in the