A17698:906
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 now we have to mark what is said in Moseses text. Six days shalt thou labour, saith the Lord. This must not be taken as though God commanded us to labour. It is true that we be borne thereto, and we know that God intendeth not that we should be idle, while we live in this world: for he hath given men hands and feet and cunning and wit. Yea and even before there was any sin,1 it is said that Adam was §60put into the garden to dress it. But the labour that men take now, is a chastisement for sin. For it is said unto them, Thou shalt eat thy bread in the sweat of thy brows: that is a curse which is laid upon all mankind. For we be not worthy to enjoy the state that was given to our first father, which was to live in pleasure without much troubling of himself. Notwithstanding, even before sin came into the world, and before we were condemned of God to this painful and constrained labour, it behoved men to occupy themselves in some exercise. And why? For it is against our nature to be as unprofitable blocks of wood. So then it is very certain that we must apply the whole time of our life to some labour. Nevertheless here is no precise commandment given of labouring six days. For in very deed there were other solemnities besides the Sabbath day, under the Law: There were other feasts which might fall in the middest of the week. But for as much as the number of them was small, (for they were but four days in the year:) here is no mention made of them: he speaketh but only of the Sabbath day. And whereas it is said, thou shalt labour six days: our Lord showeth us that we have no cause to grudge of the giving and bestowing of one day upon him, seeing he leaveth us six for one. As if he should say, is it a great matter to you that I should chose out one day to be reserved wholly to my service, so as ye shall do nothing therein but read and exercise yourselves in my law, or hear the doctrine that shall be preached unto you, and come to the temple to be there confirmed by the sacrifices that shall be offered, and to call upon my name, and to protest that you be of the fellowship of my people? Should this grieve you seeing you have six days free and whole to do your business and affairs in? Seeing then that I deal so courteously with you: as to require but one day of seven:
And now we haue to marke what is sayd in Moseses text. Six dayes shalt thou labor, sayth the Lorde. This must not be taken as though God commaunded vs to labor. It is true that we bee borne thereto, and wee knowe that God intendeth not that wee should be idle, while we liue in this world: for hee hath giuen men handes and feete and cunning and wit. Yea and euen before there was any sin,