A17698:162
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.
True it is that we must not forget the heavenly power that was uttered every where in the rising again of our Lord Jesus Christ. But how might we apply such a benefit to our selves, or how could we enjoy it, if it were not by faith? Therefore like as our Lord Jesus Christ hath purchased us the kingdom of heaven by his death and passion: so is it his will that comfort should be given us nowadays by his Gospel, where he witnesseth unto us that all that ever he did was for our sakes and for our welfare: so that having that once, and being assured thereof, we may enjoy the benefit that was purchased for us.
True it is that wee must not forget the heauenly power that was vttered euerie where in the rysing againe of our Lorde Iesus Christe. But howe might we applie such a benefite to our selues, or how could we inioy it, if it were not by faith? Therefore like as our Lorde Iesus Christ hath purchaced vs the kingdome of heauen by his death and passion: so is it his will that comfort shoulde bee giuen vs nowadayes by his Gospell, where hee witnesseth vnto vs that all that euer hee did was for our sakes and for our welfare: so that hauing that once, and being assured thereof, we may inioy the benefite that was purchased for vs.
But yet in the mean while, we must do so much honour to the Gospel, as to behold that thing by faith, which is hidden from our eyes. It is said that the Land is at thy commandment. Now if we believe our senses, we cannot perceive that the kingdom of heaven is ours, or in our hand: it will seem to be too far off from us, and that we had need of wings to fly above the skies. But what? We must so honour Gods word (as I said) as we must not doubt but that the thing which is spoken there, is possible to be done, although we conceive not how by our fleshly understanding: faith must surmount all capacity of man. And if we find any hardness therein, let us fight against our selves, and daily endeavour to recover unto God. For the way whereby he will be glorified at our hands, is (as I said at the beginning) that if there were no more but his bare word, yet ought the same to content and suffice us. But seeing he hath vouchsafed to deliver us this pledge which he hath given us in the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ: we shall be the less excusable, if we have not a full and whole contentation. Seeing then that we have such an assurance of the kingdom of heaven, let us go and take possession of the land. For (as I said afore) God will not have us idle.