A17698:205
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.
True it is that we would fain run, & that we make great endeavours to serve God: but whereof cometh that, but of this, that knowing our selves to be utterly unable, we presume not upon any power or ability of our own, but do feel that we be not yet come to perfection? And so, to be short, all our fighting cometh of the mere grace of the holy Ghost.
True it is that wee would fayne runne, & that wee make great indeuers to serue God: but whereof commeth that, but of this, that knowing our selues to be vtterly vnable, wee presume not vppon any power or abilitie of our owne, but doe feele that we be not yet come to perfection? And so, to be short, all our fighting commeth of the meere grace of the holy Ghost.
True it is that God worketh not in us as in logs or blocks: for his will is to exercise us as I have said already. Therefore when we should do well, we must have a good moving and a lively affection: and although we have bin letted and drawn away, yet must we take courage to enforce our selves, that God may work in us as in his instruments. To be short, the battles of the faithful are painful enough: but yet for all it, we must come back to this point, that it is God which worketh by us, and that all that ever we do proceedeth of him, insomuch that without him we could not stir one finger, no nor so much as think one good thought. And so ye see how this saying that the Lord our God fighteth for us, is accomplished. When we be once come to that point, although our enemies be never so terrible, yet let us not be as men dismayed, assuring our selves that God alone is strong enough for us, and that although all the world should set themselves against us, yet ought we not to care for them.
True it is that God worketh not in vs as in logges or blockes: for his will is to exercise vs as I haue sayd already. Therefore when we should doe well, wee must haue a good mouing and a liuely affection: and although we haue bin letted and drawen away, yet must wee take courage to inforce our selues, that God may worke in vs as in his instruments. To be short, the battels of the faithfull are paynfull enough: but yet for al yt, we must come backe to this point, that it is God which worketh by vs, and that all that euer wee doe proceedeth of him, insomuch that without him wee could not stir one finger, no nor so much as thinke one good thought. And so yee see how this saying that the Lord our God fighteth for vs, is accomplished. When wee be once come to that poynt, although our enemies be neuer so terrible, yet let vs not be as men dismayed, assuring our selues that God alone is strong enough for vs, and that although all the world should set themselues against vs, yet ought wee not to care for them.