A17698:1397
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 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 ⟨p. 335⟩their God, they should have defiled all things that might have abashed them. Yet notwithstanding, God beareth still with that default. And although the people was unworthy to be succoured, because of the fearfulness that proceeded of the said infirmity: yet did not God cease to hold them still by the hand. Nevertheless if God bear with us, his meaning is not to feed our vice, or to foade us in it, when we have not such stoutness and constancy as §10is requisite. It is true that God ceaseth not to have mercy upon us for all that: but howsoever the world go, yet is that fearfulness always worthy to be condemned. For let us see from what spring it issueth. If we had a perfect trust in our God: it would put away all fear, and we might defy all that ever is against us, accordingly as Saint Paul sayeth,1 if God be on our side,2 who shall be against us? And David sayeth, If a Million of men of war had besieged me,§20 yet would I not be afraid. Though I were in the darkness of death, yet if I may see God my shepherd, and he show me his sheephook, I will rest my self upon that and be in quiet.
Nowe then in saying that God will destroye all those whom his people were afraide of, Moses meaneth that although the enemies bee dreadfull of themselues, yet shall not God bee hindered to destroy them. And againe, we haue to note also, that God hath alwayes borne with the fainthartednesse of those that are his. Indeede it was a fault in the people of Israel, that they were afraide of their enemes, for seeing they knewe themselues to bee in the tuition of ⟨p. 335⟩