A17698:163
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.
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.
But yet in the meane while, wee must doe so much honour to the Gospell, as to beholde that thing by faith, which is hidden from our eyes. It is saide that the Lande is at thy commandement. Nowe if wee beleeue our senses, wee cannot perceiue that the kingdome of heauen is ours, or in our hande: it will seeme to bee too farre off from vs, and that wee had neede of wings to flie aboue the skyes. But what? Wee must so honour Gods worde (as I saide) as wee must not doubt but that the thing which is spoken there, is possible to be done, although wee conceiue not howe by our fleshly vnderstanding: faith must surmount all capacitie of man. And if wee finde any hardnesse therein, let vs fight against our selues, and dayly indeuour to recouer vnto God. For the way whereby hee will be glorified at our hands, is (as I saide at the beginning) that if there were no more but his bare worde, yet ought the same to contēt and suffice vs. But seeing he hath vouchsafed to deliuer vs this pledge which he hath giuen vs in the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ: we shalbe the lesse excusable, if wee haue not a full and whole contentation. Seeing then that we haue such an assurance of the kingdome of heauen, let vs go and take possession of the lande. For (as I said afore) God will not haue vs idle.