A17698:1416
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.
Yea and Moses sayeth that even Kings shall be delivered into the people of Israels hands. As if he should say, that there is not any power or strength so great that ought to dismay us. And this saying §60is not added without cause. For every thing of nothing will dazzle our eyes, and make us to forget the mightiness of Gods promises. For if we perceive any greatness in men and that our enemies are of ability to trouble us: we bear our selves on hand that all is marred, and by and by we be half straught at it. True it is that our presumptuousness blindeth us overmuch, so as we perceive not the dangers when we be once minded to follow our own foolish rashness. But when we should obey God, and do our duty: the whisking of a fly overthwart our faces will turn us away by and by. For this cause doth Moses say expressly, that we must not be dismayed for any greatness of the world. In so much that although our enemies shine as the Sun, although they perk up never so high, although they seem to have never so many means wherewith to overwhelm us at the first brunt: yet must we not be discouraged for all that. And why? Let us consider what Gods hand is, and then will all things vanish away which we fear as in respect of the world, so as we shall see that it is but vanity.1 For who is he that can withstand him that made all things and upholdeth all things still by his power? Can not our Lord as well bring all things to naught, as he made the world of nothing?2 Yes: and whensoever he listeth to do it, it is enough for him to speak the word, that is to say to utter his will. Now then, seeing that the creatures have not any state or being further forth than God vouchsafeth to maintain them, can they stop the bringing to pass of his good purpose? No: and therefore let us learn to yield God so much honour, as to make none account of all worldly greatness, strength, and power, in comparison of him, and to know that he can cast them all down when he thinketh good. Lo what we have to mark. And thereby we may see what a happiness it is to be able to rest upon God. For when men stay upon their own strength, although they vaunt themselves, flatter themselves, and besot themselves never so much in their own presumption: yet is it a wonder to see how they be toppled down in the turning of a hand: