A17698:1502
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.
And now let us apply this doctrine to our own use two manner of ways. For we be assailed on all sides in this world, both in body & in soul. We see what the Church of God is nowadays: we be but a small handful of folk, and our enemies are a huge multitude: they seem able enough to eat us up at one bit: we be like sheep without any strength, and they be like ravening wolves full of cruelty, they §50have all the might and power of the world on their side. Thus ye see in what plight and taking the faithful are at this day. Nevertheless sith we hear that our Lord broodeth us under his wings, and will be the preserver of our life, assuring us that he will be both a wall a rampire and a ditch unto us: let us trust thereunto, and not doubt but he will preserve us. Although the world practise what it can against us, yet shall we be always safe, so we flee for refuge to §60our God, and ground our selves upon the promise that he hath made us, which is, that both our life and our death are precious in his sight.1 And that is the cause why Moses useth this preface: Hearken O Israel. It is not a needless speech: but forasmuch as we be tempted to unbelief, and cannot hold our selves to God and stick to his promises, because the cumbrances of this world have gotten the upper hand of us already: therefore doth God exhort us to hearken to his word, and he wakeneth us up, to the end we should not lye still asleep, but understand, that he is able to overcome all the dangers wherewith we be besotted and assailed in this world. Now then, as concerning our worldly enemies, which practise the destruction of our bodies: let us not doubt but God is able to withstand them. Again, there is the devil, there are infinite temptations,2 and we have war every man within him self, so as sin dwelleth in us which is the worst and deadliest enemy that we have. But yet let us not doubt but we shall well enough wade out, seeing it is said that God will be our leader. For although our strength be weak or rather none at all: yet will God reach us his hand, so as we shall be unvanquishable. And when it seemeth that we should be utterly overthrown: we shall be held up by the power of our God. Therefore let us put our trust in him: let us rest upon his promise: and let us not be afraid that we shall be deceived.