A17698:1497
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.
For as I said, if we think the thing to be hard: we persuade our selves that it shall never come to pass: And when it is done, we deface his working, and endeavour to take the praise of it to our selves, and we be so unthankful to him, that we would have him plucked out of his seat. For this cause Moses maketh such an exhortation here, as wherein he reproveth both parts. For on the one side he saith, Hearken, ye be now at the point to enter into the land that was promised you. Now I am sure you will be afraid: for ye must fight against great and strong Nations, which do far surmount you every way. It may be therefore that ye will be dismayed and out of hart, and thereupon turn head, so as ye shall be disappointed of the heritage that God hath promised you. But pluck you up a good courage in him, and assure your selves that it is through his power that you must conquer the land of Canaan, your God will be your guide: ⟨p. 373⟩and ye must understand that he is a devouring fire, to consume all your enemies. Therefore be not afraid for any thing that ye shall see, but assure your selves that the power of God passeth all capacity of man. Now then, if you find your selves abashed: stay, and let God go through with his work, and he will show that he can (without help of man) consume all those against whom he hath armed himself in his wrath. Be mindful therefore of the power of your God, & §10trust thereunto, and be bold to rest upon it. That is the first point which Moses toucheth here, and it serveth to correct the said distrust withal, namely, that men look no further but whether a thing be easy or no, & thereupon conclude so fondly, that they make not such account of God as they ought to do. Beware (saith Moses) that ye embase not the power of your God, through any imagination of unbelief.
For as I sayd, if wee thinke the thing to bee hard: wee perswade our selues that it shall neuer come to passe: And when it is done, wee deface his working, and indeuour to take the prayse of it to our selues, and we be so vnthankfull to him, that wee would haue him plucked out of his seate. For this cause Moses maketh such an exhortation here, as wherein hee reproueth both partes. For on the one side hee sayth, Hearken, yee bee now at the point to enter into the lande that was promised you. Nowe I am sure you will bee afraid: for ye must fight against great and strong Nations, which doe farre surmount you euery way. It may bee therefore that yee will be dismayed and out of hart, and thereupon turne head, so as ye shall be disappointed of the heritage that God hath promised you. But plucke you vp a good courage in him, and assure your selues that it is through his power that you must conquere ye land of Chanaan, your God will be your guide: