A17698:4054
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 hereof we see here a goodly example in that it is said that Moses having written the law, committed is to the priests ⟨p. 1079⟩the children of Levy, which carried the Ark, and to all the Elders of Israel, which had the charge and authority to govern the people. True it is, that when GOD hath once published his word, every man ought to bethink him to receive it, for every man ought to take heed to it, for himself; men ought not to depend one upon an other: nevertheless there is not any man that is greatly careful thereof. It is behoovefull therefore that GOD should appoint §10people to watch over us, whilst we sleep, and to call upon us: and if they see us ready to swerve aside, they must restrain us. This is the cause, why it was specially requisite that the law should be delivered into the hands of the Priests. First of all it was written; and it was sufficient, that the people had heard the will of God. If men had good remembrance, and would not forget that which they have learned; it were enough I say, that Moses had once §20declared unto them that which was requisite for their welfare. For he had commanded them to occupy their minds about the study thereof both night and day, and to write the law upon the posts of their houses,1 upon their tables, and every where else; to the intent, that whither soever they turned their eyes, they might ever be stirred to think upon God. Again, they ought to have had a care to instruct their children: and besides this, the Law was §30copied out, yea and to be kept as it were upon Record of authority, as which proceeded altogether from the hand of God. And the reason was that the people did soon grow out of kind. Although they had their ears beaten with the things that were contained in the law; yet turned they away to superstition, and afterward every man became dulheaded & had nothing in him but ignorance, so as within a while there was no knowledge of God among them.§40 But is the law written? Yet is it necessary that it be committed as a treasure into the hands of the Priests, which be the messengers of God,