A17698:196
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.
IF hardiness were well taken, it were an excellent virtue worthy of great praise, and exceedingly requisite in all a mans life. For if we be fearful, and have not a stout courage to do well: it will be an easy matter to carry us to all naughtiness. But yet for all that, the world knoweth not how to be hardy. And that is the cause why men are so much given to rashness, & so §10bold & overbold to adventure upon foolish matches without advisement. But if we adventure upon things on our own head & fancy, & put not our trust in God: it is a building without a foundation. Nevertheless, it is not for us to look for Gods help, further forth than he hath bound himself to it by his promises. The way then that we ought to be hardy, is that when we have once sought out Gods will, we obey it simply without attempting any thing at our own pleasure.§20 Be we once at that point, we must examine our own strength and ability, and finding nothing but weakness there, we must utterly distrust our selves and resort unto God. And forasmuch as he of his own free goodness vouchsafeth to assure us that he will not leave us at our need: we must thereupon conclude, that we cannot miscarry being under his protection.
IF hardinesse were well taken, it were an excellent vertue worthie of great prayse, and exceedingly requisite in al a mans life. For if wee be fearefull, and haue not a stout courage to doe well: it will be an easie matter to cary vs to all naughtinesse. But yet for all that, the worlde knoweth not how to bee hardie. And that is the cause why men are so much giuen to rashnesse, & so §10bold & ouerbold to aduēture vpon foolish matches without aduisemēt. But if we aduēture vpon things on our own head & fancie, & put not our trust in God: it is a building without a foundation. Neuerthelesse, it is not for vs to looke for Gods helpe, furtherfoorth than he hath bound himselfe to it by his promises. The way then that we ought to be hardy, is that when we haue once sought out Gods will, wee obey it simply without attempting any thing at our owne pleasure.§20 Be wee once at that poynt, wee must examine our owne strength and abilitie, and finding nothing but weakenesse there, wee must vtterly distrust our selues and resort vnto God. And forasmuch as he of his owne free goodnesse vouchsafeth to assure vs that hee will not leaue vs at our neede: we must thereupon conclude, yt we cannot miscary being vnder his protection.