A17698:4509
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 be to proceed with the blessing of the tribe of Levi, which I began to declare yesterday. I told you in few words, that there Moses intended to stablish §50those whom God had chosen to be his priests, because it was very needful to keep them from contempt of the people, least men might have made none account of the doctrine which they were to deliver unto them: and therefore it behoved them to be in good estimation as Gods servants and representers of his person. And that is the cause why Moses declareth that although Aaron was tried in Massa, and suffered some trouble: yet §60notwithstanding God ceased not to retain him still in his service, yea even him and all his offspring. And now Moses showeth whereunto God had called the house of Levy, and what was the office of the high priest. He saith first of all, That they knew neither father nor mother, that they had forsaken their own Children, and that they told their brothers they wi•t not who they were. And that is to show, that forasmuch as God had chosen them, it behooved them to forget all things, that they might give themselves wholly unto him. Now we know that when the Priests were presented as all other oblations were;1 men laid either their one hand or both their hands upon them; to betoken that they were no more at their own liberty, but that they were sanctified to such a use, as it behooved every one of them to employ themselves wholly to their office, and to be altogether at the appointment of God. True it is that the same condition is required of all the faithful, for we ought to be dedicated unto God in sacrifice.2 But yet must the preachers of the word lead the dance, and consider themselves to be double bound, yea and more straitly. The thing then which Moses meant to betoken in this text, is that seeing God had so highly honoured ⟨p. 1203⟩the tribe of Levy, as to have them all to be his Priests: it behoved them to forget both father and mother, & to be unaddicted to their fleshly affections, yea and to give over even their own children. Not that God intended to alter the order of nature, but to show that when the case standeth upon the performance of their charge, they must not be turned from it by any worldly respect, neither must any thing withhold them from executing throughly & faithfully