A17698:1953
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.
And he saith expressly that the Jews should dwell in quiet & safety, notwithstanding that they were beset round about with enemies. Hereby we be done to understand, that it was not enough for them to have conquered the country, but that it behoved God to maintain them still under his protection. And as the Israelites were warned of it then: so doth the same belong to us at this day. For God telleth us that if he hath once called us, it is all one as if he had made us to pass the red sea. True it is that he could call us without making of us to change our place. But let us consider from whence God taketh us, & whither he draweth us. He taketh us out of the bottom of hell.1 For so long as we be in our own nature, we have none access to the kingdom of heaven, nor any acquaintance with him, but are utterly banished from the hope of life. And when he hath drawn us out of such confusion, he pulleth us up to himself, to the end we might cleave unto him: & although we dwell as yet on the earth; yet notwithstanding we cease not to be heirs of the heavenly inheritance. This is a far greater thing than to pass the red sea. For we have an enemy that is greater and much stronger than was Pharaoh & all his people.2 For what can we do when we have all the devils against us, labouring to hinder our salvation, & being so subtle & having all the means that can be to do it withal? They be called the princes of the air,3 & they reign over our heads, so as they might easily overthrow us if God delivered us not from them. Therefore it is a great power which God uttereth when it pleaseth him to gather us unto himself. And yet is it to no purpose, except we be preserved still under his hand & tuition. For as long as we be in this world,4 we shall be environed continually round about with enemies. The devil ceaseth not to trouble us; he hath wiles & slights enow to do it withal: & we on our side are unarmed & unprovided; & therefore it standeth us greatly upon, to have God to be our defender. Nay, the devil needs not to seek far:5 for we carry such a nun ber of vices with us of our own, as we might be overcome a hundred times without any great ado or noise. Let us mark well then, that like as God promised to maintain the Jews in the inheritance that he had given them: so it standeth us in hand at this day to be maintained by his hand in the faith; that we may persevere in his service: