A17698:189
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.
Seeing we have such a confirmation to warrant us the kingdom of heaven that is promised unto us: should we be cowardly? what excuse will there be if we play the dastards and nice cockneys? But to the end we may obey our God and not provoke his mouth: let us fall to strengthening of our selves in him. For what caused this wretched people to turn away so from his calling? Even their considering of their enemies force according to their own nature, and their forgetting of God and his power in the mean while. Let us learn then to make such account of the strength of our God, as that we may by the power of his spirit get the upper hand in all encounters that he bringeth us unto: for he will not have us to be idle in this present life. He could well enough set us in quiet at the first instant, so as we should not be troubled any manner a way, nor the world make war against us, nor we be tempted at all by our own flesh, and that Satan should be far of from us. God I say could well maintain us in ease at the first instant: but he intendeth to try our patience: for he will have us to be men of war. Wherefore let us on our side fight, yea, let us fight lustily: and if our enemies be too strong for us, (as we find that they be in deed) let us flee for refuge to the help that our Lord hath promised us, and we shall overcome all lets if we fight in the strength of God. But yet let us mark that we must fight unto death, and not dye once only: but have death present daily.
Seeing we haue such a confirmation to warrant vs the kingdome of heauen that is promised vnto vs: should we be cowardly? what excuse wil there be if we play the dastards and nice cockneyes? But to the end we may obey our God and not prouoke his mouth: let vs fal to strengthening of our selues in him. For what caused this wretched people to turne away so from his calling? Euen their considering of their enemies force according to their owne nature, and their forgetting of God and his power in the meane while. Let vs learne then to make such account of the strength of our God, as that wee may by the power of his spirite gette the vpper hand in all incounters that hee bringeth vs vnto: for hee will not haue vs to be idle in this present lyfe. Hee coulde well enough set vs in quiet at the first instant, so as wee shoulde not be troubled any maner a way, nor the worlde make warre against vs, nor we be tempted at all by our owne fleshe, and that Satan should bee far of from vs. God I say could well maintaine vs in ease at the first instant: but he intendeth to trye our patience: for he will haue vs to be men of warre. Wherefore let vs on our side fight, yea, let vs fight lustily: and if our enemies bee too strong for vs, (as wee finde that they be in deed) let vs flee for refuge to the helpe that our Lorde hath promised vs, and wee shall ouercome all lets if wee fight in the strength of God. But yet let vs marke that wee must fight vnto death, and not dye once onely: but haue death present dayly.