A17698:1330
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.
Furthermore whereas he sayeth, Know thou that thy God is God, yea and a strong God: thereby he meant to separate the living God from all the idols which the world hath forged in all ages. And it is a text well worth the noting. For we shall never serve God with all our heart, neither §20shall we be able to trust in him and to rest upon him, unless we be sure that he is almighty, and that he only is God. No doubt but the unbelievers may well bear themselves in hand for a time that their religion is good, and the world seeth how wilful they be in that behalf: but yet all is but stubbornness whatsoever they make of it. And therefore it behoveth us to be fully resolved and persuaded of this, that we must not have a flying faith, so as our hoping to be saved is §30but at all adventure. For we must always bear in mind, how S. Paul sayeth that we must know whom we believe,1 and that God is a faithful keeper of that which we have committed unto him. Then if we know not that our God is one, and that he is alone, and that he is the very true God: we shall be always wavering and our faith shall have no steadiness. That is the cause why Moses sayeth expressly, Know thou that thy God is the God. As if he should say, Consider in what §40state the wretched heathen men and such as give over themselves to superstition are. It is true that they will talk enough of God: howbeit, it is but rovingly, they know not who he is. But it is not so with you. For seeing that your God hath taught you, and discovered himself to you: he hath certified you of his will, and showed you that ye need not doubt but your religion is such as you ought to stick to. Now then, swerve neither one way nor other, neither halt ye, but go on right forth,§50 seeing you be sure of your religion. Mark that for one point.
Furthermore whereas he sayeth, Knowe thou that thy God is God, yea and a strong God: thereby he meant to separate the liuing God from all the idols which the world hath forged in al ages. And it is a text well woorth the noting. For wee shall neuer serue God with all our heart, neither §20shall wee be able to trust in him and to rest vpon him, vnlesse we be sure that he is almightie, and that he onely is God. No doubt but the vnbeleeuers may well beare themselues in hand for a time that their religion is good, and the worlde seeth how wilfull they be in that behalfe: but yet all is but stubbornnesse whatsoeuer they make of it. And therefore it behoueth vs to be fully resolued and perswaded of this, that wee must not haue a flying faith, so as our hoping to be saued is