A17698:1398
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.
Therefore let us mark well, that our Lord showeth himself pitiful, when it pleaseth him to succour us in such infirmity. For he needed to do no more but say in one word, prepare your selves to receive my grace, and by and by thereupon we ought to embrace his §30promises and to rest upon them, and to take all our contentation in them. But we do not so: and yet notwithstanding he ceaseth not to bear with us therein. Nevertheless, although he use such gentleness and patience towards us: yet doth it not follow that therefore there is no fault in our fearfulness, neither ought we to conclude that we may fall a sleep in it: but rather we must quicken up our selves to say: how now wretched creature? Thou distrustest thy §40God. Thou hast been as greatly afflicted as might be, and he hath succoured thee. What meanest thou by rejecting his goodness after that manner? Thinkest thou that his benefits have always been lost towards thee, that thou diffea•est them through thine own lewdness, in that thou doest not acknowledge them? For if we acknowledged not Gods benefits as they deserve, surely we should be confirmed by them as I have said already. Then is it not without cause that §50God addeth here, that his people should not be afraid of their enemies. True it is that he had said, Thou shalt be afraid of them: but there he spake of the infirmity that he knew to be in his people▪ which was faulty: for he condemneth it as it deserved. And there upon he addeth, Thou shalt not be afraid of them. As if he should say, true it is in deed your nature will always be fearful: but yet ye must not be afraid, ye must withstand such fearfulness.§60 And when ye see the multitude of your enemies, it cannot be but that ye must be somewhat moved: but yet ye must have the buckler of faith to repulse all such fear, and ye must think that seeing I have promised to succour you: I will not fail you.
Therefore let vs marke well, that our Lorde sheweth himselfe pitifull, when it pleaseth him to succour vs in such infirmitie. For hee needed to doe no more but say in one worde, prepare your selues to receiue my grace, and by and by thereuppon wee ought to imbrace his §30