A17698:151
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 look how many doubts and mistrusts we conceive, so many overthwart nips and privy upbraidings do we give unto GOD, as who should say there were no certainty in his saying. But we know that nothing is more peculiar to him than his trueth. And so (as much as in us lieth) we make it a thing of nothing. Therefore it is a very profitable warning when §60he sayeth, The Lord thy God hath promised thee the Land. For he speaketh still in general, meaning that we must all our life long hold this rule of sticking simply to the word of God. A non the things shall be laid forth particularly, as I said afore.
For looke howe many doubtes and mistrustes wee conceiue, so many ouerthwart nippes and priuie vpbraydings doe wee giue vnto GOD, as who shoulde say there were no certaintie in his saying. But wee knowe that nothing is more peculiar to him than his trueth. And so (as much as in vs lyeth) wee make it a thing of nothing. Therefore it is a verie profitable warning when §60hee saieth, The Lorde thy God hath promised thee the Lande. For hee speaketh still in generall, meaning that we must all our life long hold this rule of sticking simply to the word of God. A non the things shalbe laide foorth particularly, as I saide afore.
But let us mark well, that Moses having alleged Gods promise, and having said that the Land was at the peoples commandment, because GOD meant not to fail in the performance of the thing that he had once promised: addeth afterward, Enter into it and take possession of it. Wherein he showeth us that although GOD perform in us all that he hath said: yet must not we on our side be idle, nor be as blocks of wood, but we must offer our selves to his service. For albeit that we cannot stir one finger to do well: yet hath GOD made us instruments whereby he will work.
But let vs marke well, that Moses hauing alledged Gods promise, and hauing saide that the Lande was at the peoples commaundement, because GOD ment not to fayle in the perfourmance of the thing that hee had once promised: addeth afterwarde, Enter into it and take possession of it. Wherein hee sheweth vs that although GOD performe in vs al that hee hath saide: yet must not wee on our side bee idle, nor bee as blockes of wood, but wee must offer our selues to his seruice. For albeit that wee cannot stirre one finger to doe wel: yet hath GOD made vs instrumentes whereby hee will worke.