A17698:4059
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 in the mean while we see what charge is here committed aswell to the Levites, as to the rulers. True it is, that at this day there is no certain kindred allotted thereto by God in his Church: for his will is, that Shepherds should be chosen: which office is no heritage: but he would that they should be taken according as they be known meet. Nevertheless all Pastors, & Elders, that is to say, all Officers, & such as have public charge, must understand that they must employ themselves to maintain the pure religion, & that they must be as keepers of the word of God, to the end that it should not perish. And albeit that there is no excuse for the rest of the people: yet shall these feel double vengeance, if they do not, what lieth in them, to cause men to continue constant in the pure word of God, & to see that every body be taught, & that both great & small do yield them selves thereunto. If they strain not themselves to the uttermost of their powers that Gods trueth may continue sound, it is certain that they are to account therefore.
Nowe in ye meane while we see what charge is here cōmitted aswel to the Leuites, as to the rulers. True it is, yt at this day there is no certaine kinred allotted thereto by God in his Church: for his wil is, yt Shepherds shold be chosen: which office is no heritage: but he would yt they should be taken according as they bee knowen meete. Neuerthelesse al Pastors, & Elders, that is to say, all Officers, & such as haue publike charge, must vnderstande that they must employ thēselues to maintaine the pure religion, & that they must be as keepers of the word of God, to the end that it should not perish. And albeit yt there is no excuse for the rest of the people: yet shall these feele double vengeance, if they do not, what lyeth in them, to cause men to continue constant in the pure worde of God, & to see that euerie body be taught, & that both great & small do yeelde thē selues thereunto. If they straine not themselues to the vttermost of their powers yt Gods trueth may continue sounde, it is certaine that they are to account therefore.
Now as touching that which Moses saith further, That he commandeth the children of Israel, that on the solemn day at the feast of the Tabernacles at the end of every seven year, the law should be recited to all the people: it is not meant that God would not have the Jews taught it daily: but it was yet a straiter band, & the keeping that solemnity, (as we have seen heretofore where we treated of the covenant made by Moses) was not to the intent that the people should [at other times] be unmindful of the law,