A17698:2039
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.
HERE god showeth what steadfastness of faith ought to be in those that have bin taught by his word namely even §30such as may be able to withstand all the lies and sleights of Satan, so as they be not hindered by any false doctrines or errors; but may continue always in the trueth. For if we received his word when it is preached unto us, and yet it had no hold in us: but that we should turn aside from that which we had learned as soon as we perceived any thing to the §40contrary: what a thing were it? It is said that faith must be the victory whereby to overcome the whole world:1 for so doth Saint John speak thereof in his first Epistle. And if we yield to every wind, so as every blast of untruth is enough to withdraw us from GOD: our faith will soon be overcome; and where is then our victory? Therefore let us mark that when GOD granteth us the grace to be taught by his word; it is not only to the end §50we should learn the things that are spoken, and bear them in mind for a while; b•t also to the end we should stay upon them, and be so grounded upon them, that if all the troubles of the world should rise up against us, we should still hold our own, and continue steadfast and invincible. If this were said to the people of old time, which had not so large instruction by a great deal as we have: much more doth it belong to §60us nowadays. God gave the Jews sufficient instruction, so far forth as was requisite for their welfare. That is true: but yet did he teach them under shadows and figures, which manner of teaching was darksome in comparison of that which we have nowadays. For in the Gospel we have the sun of righteousness shining as it were at noonday.2 So then, Gods word must serve us, not only to show us the right way, but also to enable us to withstand all the temptations of Satan and his upholders. We must (say I) be so armed, as we may fight and put back all errors and falsehood, so as after we have once known God, we may stick to him steadfastly to the uttermost. And that is the cause why Saint Paul treating of the use of the Gospel,3