A17698:1415
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.
Then could we not hold out, unless we were fully and throughly out of doubt that the promise of God should be wholly accomplished unto us, and that in the end our enemies shall not be able to stand before our faces. Therefore let us fight boldly against Satan, and against all the lusts of our own flesh: and we shall overcome them, so we have Jesus Christ §30for our Captain. For we must be hopeless as in respect of our selves, and not imagine that our own strength can suffice: but we must learn to call upon him that is able to help us at our need.1 That is the thing which we have to bear in mind yea and even in respect of this present life. Let us not doubt but that although we be fain to pass through many miseries, yet notwithstanding all shall turn to our benefit and welfare in the end. Let us bear this saying §40well in mind, so as we may fare the better by it, yea even in such sort as we yield not to murmur against God, though he grant not our desires at the first. And in so doing we shall have invincible constancy to keep on our way still, though it seem never so hard unto us. And although we see never so many perils: yet shall we have such constancy, as to hold on still till we be come to our ways end.2 For why? Gods promising of us to give us full victory, is not to §50disappoint us: he is faithful in his sayings. Nevertheless, if it please him to make as though he regarded not things, we must not take upon us to set him any term, but let him dispose matters according to his own infinite wisdom.
Then coulde wee not holde out, vnlesse wee were fully and throughly out of doubt that the promise of God should bee wholly accōplished vnto vs, and yt in the end our enemies shal not be able to stand before our faces. Therfore let vs fight boldly against Sathan, and againste all the lustes of our owne fleshe: and we shall ouercome them, so wee haue Iesus Christ §30for our Captaine. For we must be hopelesse as in respect of our selues, and not imagin that our owne strength can suffice: but wee must learne to call vppon him that is able to helpe vs at our neede.