A17698:3390
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.
We have in this place the Law of the first fruits which was made for this end, that the Jews should thereby acknowledge §10unto GOD, that they held the land of Canaan of his mere and only gift: as when a Lord granteth any Land in Fee, he reserveth some Rent and some kind of service to himself to testify that the Land is held of him. So likewise GOD meant to have a certain memorial among the Jews, whereby they should be put in mind to serve §20him, for so much as he nourished them, and that whatsoever they had in possession, they held it of his freebestowed goodness. In deed GOD did it not after the manner of mortal men: for those which are Lords of any land, be they never so rich, have need of Rents and revenues: for the maintenance of their estate. But GOD who standeth in need of nothing, ordained this Law, only for the profit and welfare of his people. For the §30first fruits were not brought unto the Temple as though GOD were to receive some commodity of them to himself: but the bringing of them was to this intent, that the people should be the better stirred up by that means, to discharge themselves of their duty towards GOD. For the first fruits went not for full payment, but they served only for a solemn protestation, thereby to show that the people was much more bound §40unto GOD.
WEe haue in this place the Lawe of ye first fruits which was made for this ende, yt the Iewes shold thereby acknowledge §10vnto GOD, that they helde the lande of Chanaan of his mere and onely gifte: as when a Lorde graunteth any Lande in Fee, hee reserueth some Rent and some kind of seruice to himselfe to testifye that the Lande is helde of him. So likewise GOD meant to haue a certayne memoriall among the Iewes, whereby they shoulde bee put in minde to serue §20him, for so much as hee nourished them, and that whatsoeuer they had in possession, they helde it of his freebestowed goodnesse. In deede GOD did it not after the manner of mortall men: for those which are Lordes of any land, bee they neuer so riche, haue neede of Rentes and reuenewes: for the mayntenaunce of their estate. But GOD who standeth in neede of nothing, ordayned this Lawe, onely for the profite and welfare of his people. For the