A17698:154
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.
Nevertheless he will have us to take pains and to strain our selves, yea even us which are utterly unprofitable. And having given us his power, he will have us endeavour to make the thing available which he hath bestowed upon us, and to make it to be profitable. That then is the thing which we have to note here.
Neuerthelesse he will haue vs to take paynes and to straine our selues, yea euen vs which are vtterly vnprofitable. And hauing giuen vs his power, hee will haue vs indeuour to make the thing auailable which he hath bestowed vppon vs, and to make it to bee profitable. That then is the thing which we haue to note here.
Howbeit, there withal there is also the conclusion which Moses maketh: namely when as he saith, Fear not, be not dismayed. And hereby he doth us to understand, that although we be armed and fenced with Gods promises, so as we ought to be sufficiently resolved, that he will guide us unto the end: yet shall we have many occasions to make us grudge and repine, so as we might swerve aside from the right way, or utterly forsake it, if we had not constancy to overcome all the stops and lets that the devil thrusteth in our ways: for of nature we be fearful. True it is that in many things we be but too hardy. When any fond thing is to be attempted foolishly: in that case men need not to be heartened, for they be but too bold already, to attempt this and that, & to mount above the clouds as thee say. But when GOD should be followed whithersoever he calleth us: our eyes run here and there, up and down, we be at our wits end, yea and if a fly do but whisk before our eyes or a straw stir at our feet: by and by we are at a stop. Now seeing we have this vice in our nature, let ⟨p. 27⟩us determine to fight on all sides against this fond fearfulness, to the end we be not held back from following God whithersoever he commandeth us, but that we may overcome all the temptations of Satan, though he be never so wily in forging and framing of innumerable occasions in that behalf, to turn us away from our calling. And therefore let us mark this warning given to the Jews by Moses. For it is a warning to us as well as it was to them,