A17698:1396
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.
Now again Moses confirmeth the doctrine which we have heard: namely that the children of Israel should not be afraid of their enemies. For God is among you (sayeth he) yea even the strong and terrible God. First he setteth down here, that they should not be afraid of their enemies: and afterward he addeth the reason, For God (saith he) is among you. And thirdly he showeth what manner a God the same is, to the intent that the people should not doubt but he is mighty enough, and by comparing him to his creatures, resolve themselves that it ought to suffice them, if they had him on their side. This is the sum of the things that are said here. Now it seemeth at the first sight that here is some contrariety. For he had said afore, God will destroy all the enemies whom thou fearest: and here he forbiddeth them to be afraid. Howe hang these two together? Whereas he speaketh of fear, we have to note that when any danger is apparent and threateneth us, we feel the grief thereof, and we must needs be afraid of it, and it cannot be otherwise.
Nowe againe Moses confirmeth the doctrine which wee haue hearde: namely that the children of Israel shoulde not bee afraide of their enemies. For God is among you (saieth hee) yea euen the stronge and terrible God. First hee setteth downe heere, that they shoulde not bee afraide of their enemies: and afterwarde hee addeth the reason, For God (saith hee) is among you. And thirdly hee sheweth what manner a God the same is, to the intent that the people shoulde not doubt but hee is mightie ynough, and by comparing him to his creatures, resolue themselues that it ought to suffise them, if they had him on their side. This is the summe of the thinges that are saide heere. Now it seemeth at the first sight that heere is some contrarietie. For hee had saide afore, God will destroy all the enemies whom thou fearest: and heere hee forbiddeth them to bee afraide. Howe hang these two together? Whereas hee speaketh of feare, wee haue to note that when any daunger is apparant and threateneth vs, wee feele the griefe thereof, and wee must needes be afraide of it, and it cannot be otherwise.
Now then in saying that God will destroy all those whom his people were afraid of, Moses meaneth that although the enemies be dreadful of themselves, yet shall not God be hindered to destroy them. And again, we have to note also, that God hath always borne with the faintheartedness of those that are his. Indeed it was a fault in the people of Israel, that they were afraid of their enemies, for seeing they knew themselves to be in the tuition of