A17698:4575
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.
But here a man might demand wherefore Moses speaketh this of Zebulun & Issachar rather than of the other tribes. It is likely that it was because of the situation of the place. For first they were far enough from the Temple, and therefore it was the harder for them to offer Sacrifices, because the journey was painful; or else they might easily have grown out of kind being so far off & intermingled among the heathen, by reason whereof they might have become hardhearted, and have made no great account of Religion or of the Law. That is the cause why Moses doth purposely attribute unto them the said title of zeal of provoking folk to the serving of God.1 True it is that the tribe of Gad (of whom mention shall be made hereafter) and also a part of Ephraim should have their portions allotted unto them beyond the Jordan. But although they were far off from the temple, yet might they have the Religion simple; they were not so mingled with the Heathen, they had not so great corruptions as were in the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar. For we know that these were near unto Galilee, and that a part thereof was called the Galilee of the Gentiles. And when Solomon was in the greatest prosperity of his kingdom,2 we see how he gave Cities in that Country unto king Hiram, by means whereof it was like enough that those people should be corrupted. And under the word Folk, Moses comprehended not only the Tribes of Israel; but also those which erst had no acquaintance with God but were utterly separated from the true and pure Religion. Of them is it said that Zebulun and Issachar should do their endeavour to bring them into the right way, and to the doctrine of salvation.
But heere a man might demaunde wherefore Moses speaketh this of Zabulon & Isachar rather than of the other tribes. It is likely that it was because of the situation of the place. For first they were farre ynough from the Temple, and therefore it was the harder for them to offer Sacrifices, because the iourney was paineful; or else they might easily haue growen out of kinde beeing so farre off & intermingled among the heathen, by reason wherof they might haue become hardehearted, and haue made no great account of Religion or of the Lawe. That is the cause why Moses doth purposely attribute vnto them the sayde title of zeale of prouoking folke to the seruing of God.