A17698:1513
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.
Now if this were said of temporal enemies: what is to be said of Satan, and of the enemies of our souls? Are we able to overcome them? Will the bringing of our own free will, our merits, and our good works be able to overcome the devil, the world, death it self,§20 and hell? No, but the blind wretches are well apaid that they may be deceived in bearing themselves in hand that they can do much, & that they be very able folk. Yet notwithstanding, they be disgraced here by the holy Ghost, and it is told us that nothing we be, ne nothing can do of our selves: but that all the good which we do cometh of God,1 and it is he that doeth it in us. For if a man cannot stir one finger towards the saving of this transitory §30life: can he save his soul unto the kingdom of heaven? If a man cannot do any thing against his adversary which is a mortal and frail creature as well as himself: how shall he overcome the world, and all the devils in hell? So then, let us learn to deceive our selves no more with these fond imaginations, in thinking our selves to have free will to do this and that: but let us know that if God reach us his hand, then shall we be able to stand through him & not through §40our selves. Saint Paul glorieth sufficiently: but how is that? I can do all things (sayeth he) through Jesus Christ which strengtheneth me.2 He sayeth he can do all things: and by that mean he defieth the devil, (which manner of boldness we see he useth chiefly in the Epistle to the Philippians:) but yet he reserveth nothing to himself. He sayeth that he is strengthened §50by Jesus Christ. Then if we be strengthened from above: we shall get the upper hand: But yet (as I said) we must always acknowledge how it is God that strengtheneth us, and that it is in him and by him that we stand out and get the victory.
Nowe if this were saide of temporall enemies: what is to be sayde of Satan, and of the enemies of our soules? Are wee able to ouercome them? Will the bringing of our owne free will, our merites, and our good workes bee able to ouercome the diuel, the worlde, death it selfe,