A17698:1390
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.
WE saw yesterday what courage we ought to have to do our duty, and whereupon we ought to ground our selves: namely upon the promise which God maketh us, that we shall be maintained by his hand and power. For if we have an eye to our own power & ability, we shall have no §40cause to conceive any trust: but if we be acquainted with Gods power, and have his promise that he will aid us: then have we no cause to be afraid. Then if we see any dangers that may make us afraid, or astonish us: let us learn to have recourse to this lesson, that when soever God commandeth us to do anything, he will not fail us at our need, but rather we shall feel his presence in such wise as we ought to do him the honour to rest upon him. And to the §50end this doctrine might be the better known, Moses hath therewithal set down the experience thereof which God had given the people of Israel at their going out of Egypt. Thou hast seen the signs and wonders which God wrought: and he will do as much in this behalf. It ought to suffice us that God bindeth himself to us by his promise. Howbeit forasmuch as he perceiveth our infirmity: he giveth us this help more, of making us to have experience of the things that we knew before. Now §60if this avail us not: we be not only unfaithful, but also unthankful. For when god doth us good, it is not for an hour or twain: but he will have it to stand us in stead all our life long, and to conclude boldly, that as he hath begun well, so will he also continue. Then let us beware that we be not guilty of so great unthankfulness, as to have thrust Gods benefits underfoot, which ought to be so well known unto us. And that is to the end we may go through with our course without stop. And because we be as weak as is possible, or rather lazy and unprofitable, when we should do any good: let us take courage as it is given us here even by having recourse unto God, praying him to hold out his hand continually to help us: and therewithal let us do whatsoever he commandeth us, and whatsoever we know to be our duty, not doubting but the end of it will be good. Although the devil practise to turn all upsidedown, and although men strain themselves and make never so great assaults to further the same: yet will God get the upper hand.
WE sawe yesterday what courage wee ought to haue to doe our duety, and wherupon we ought to grounde our selues: namely vppon the promise which God maketh vs, that we shalbe mainteined by his hand and power. For if we haue an eye to our own power & ability, we shal haue no