A17698:4521
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 therefore whensoever we have the Gospel purely preached unto us, and that we agree in unity of faith: God doeth us to understand that he dwelleth among us, and our Lord Jesus Christ doeth then show himself to be the head of that whole body. That is the thing which we have to gather upon this text, where it §50is said that the children of Levy shall keep Gods covenant. And why? For else it might perish in the world; according whereunto Saint Paul sayeth,1 that the Church is the Arch, the Pillar, and the upholder of Gods trueth. And how is that? Because that men (as I have said afore) are so inclined to vanity and leasings▪ that they should be alienated out of hand from the pure Religion, if they were held still by that mean. The Church then is as a §60Guardian to Gods trueth, to the intent it should not be d•rie away, but that we should always have that light among us, and that we might understand that where preaching is, there Gods voice ringeth in our ears, so as if we were never so sore shaken too and fro, yet doeth God give us a sure stay wherewith to resist all temptations. Ye see then how the keeping of Gods covenant is committed to the Levites, and generally to all such as have the office of shepherds among Gods people.
And therefore whensoeuer wee haue the Gospell purely preached vnto vs, and that wee agree in vnitie of faith: God doeth vs to vnderstande that hee dwelleth among vs, and our Lorde Iesus Christ doeth then shewe himselfe to bee the heade of that whole bodie. That is the thing which wee haue to gather vppon this text, where it §50is saide that the children of Leuie shall keepe Gods couenant. And why? For else it might perish in the worlde; according whereunto Saint Paul saieth,1 that the Church is the Arch, the Piller, and the vpholder of Gods trueth. And howe is that? Because that men (as I haue saide afore) are so inclined to vanitie and leasings▪ that they shoulde bee alienated out of hande from the pure Religion, if they were held still by that meane. The Church then is as a