A17698:4514
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 he addeth thereunto, That they shall keep the sayings of the Lord, and hold fast his covenant. §40True it is, that forasmuch as the Law was given to all the children of Abraham without exception, the thing that is spoken here belonged alike to all the other tribes. And we have seen already, that the Levites were not the only folk which were commanded to keep the doctrine contained therein: but it was said [indifferently to all the rest,] Ye shall keep my Statutes.1 When God said so, he directed his speech to all the children of Israel.§50 Yet notwithstanding (as I said afore) it behooved the priests who had the charge of drawing the people, and of holding them under the obedience of God, to show them the way, and to have a more ardent zeal to keep the law faithfully. That is the cause why Moses giveth them that title. But we must note that these words keep and maintain, import two things; that is to wit, that the Levites should teach the people the Law (as shall be §60showed more at large); and also hold them in awe, that the religion might be preserved pure, so as the people might not start away to idolatry and superstition, nor lead a wicked and loose life; but that God might be honoured and served. That is the first keeping which we have of the doctrine. And for the same cause doeth Moses add, They shall teach thy Law unto Israel, and thy Commandments unto Jacob. Then was it not enough for the children of Levy to walk undefiledly and according to the doctrine of the Law; but also it behooved them all to have the doctrine in their mouth, to give instruction to their brethren, & to bring them always to the knowledge of God, and to make them continue therein to the end.
Nowe hee addeth thereunto, That they shall keepe the sayings of the Lorde, and holde fast his couenant. §40True it is, that forasmuch as the Law was giuen to all the children of Abraham without exception, the thing that is spoken here belonged alike to all the other tribes. And wee haue seene already, that the Leuites were not the onely folke which were commaunded to keepe the doctrine conteined therin: but it was saide [indifferently to all the rest,] Yee shall keepe my Statutes.