A17698:1512
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.
The second is this: When the Lord shall have driven out the people before thee. Here Moses cutteth off all the fond brags wherewith men deceive themselves. As how? If we had not played the tall fellows in fighting manfully against our enemies, what had become of us? We had strong enemies, they were mighty and puissant, they had huge fortresses and munitions, they were tall of stature like Giants, and we were but dwarfs in comparison of them: and therefore it stood us on band to pluck up a stout courage. Moses wipeth away all this, saying: Ye silly souls, it is your God that fought for you, it was not your selves. So then, let us ⟨p. 377⟩learn, that although God use our service, and we seem to do somewhat: yet the work is not ours, it is always his that worketh it by us, and which breatheth his secrete power into us. We have nothing of our own, whereof we may boast, but God must always be acknowledged to be the author of his own. This is the second reason which Moses allegeth here, to teach the people that they should not be proud, nor believe marvellously of their own power,§10 so as they should say, I have done this or that, I have brought this or that to pass. No (sayeth he) thy God is he that driveth out nations, and rooteth them out.
The seconde is this: When the Lord shall haue driuen out the people before thee. Here Moses cutteth off all the fonde bragges wherewith men deceiue themselues. As howe? If wee had not played the tall fellowes in fighting manfully against our enemies, what had become of vs? We had strong enemies, they were mightie and puissant, they had huge fortresses and munitions, they were tall of stature like Gyants, and wee were but dwarfes in comparison of them: and therefore it stoode vs on bande to plucke vp a stout courage. Moses wypeth away all this, saying: Ye silly soules, it is your God that fought for you, it was not your selues. So then, let vs ⟨p. 377⟩learne, that although God vse our seruice, and wee seeme to do somewhat: yet the work is not ours, it is alwayes his that worketh it by vs, and which breatheth his secrete power into vs. Wee haue nothing of our owne, whereof wee may boast, but God must alwayes be acknowledged to bee the author of his owne. This is the seconde reason which Moses alleageth here, to teach the people that they should not be proud, nor beleeue marueilously of their owne power,