A17698:2549
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 we be done to understand, first that the office of the Levites was double: to wit, that on the one side they were to teach the people, & to be as keepers and maintainers of the law, to the intent that men should not turn away to any superstition, nor become heathenish for want of good looking to, and so bring the service of God in contempt; but that they might always bear in mind to what end he kept them in the world, and refer their whole life to the glorifying §40of him. That was one part of the charge of the Levites. Also they were to teach men the meaning of the Ceremonies, as namely that the sacrifices served to show even to eyesight, that all men are accursed, & condemned to death, and that they ought not in any wise to come in Gods presence without sacrifice.1 And there was not any sacrifice sufficient to make atonement between God and the world, but only our Lord Jesus Christs offering up of himself. Ye see then how §50the duty of the Levites was to teach the people, that the Ceremonies guided them to the promise which had been made unto them concerning the Redeemer. And therewithal it behoved the Levites moreover to pray unto God: and the High priest was to go into the tabernacle in the name of all the people, to show that they were not worthy to have access unto God, but by mean of a mediator to go before them §60and to enter as it were into Gods presence in their behalf. Al these things were to be done. And therefore the Levites that served in the Temple, had a harder charge than they that were dispersed abroad in the Country. In respect whereof it was Gods will that they should have the said advantage of taking their portions of all the sacrifices and offerings that were made in the Temple.
And heereby we be done to vnderstande, first that the office of the Leuites was dubble: to wit, that on the one side they were to teach the people, & to be as keepers and mainteiners of ye law, to the intent that men should not turne away to any superstitiō, nor become heathenish for want of good looking to, and so bring the seruice of God in contempt; but that they might alwayes beare in minde to what end he kept them in the worlde, and referre their whole life to the glorifying §40