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A17698:2053

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.

John Calvin 1509–1564London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583

[12], 1247, [145] p. · 1.5M words · STC 4442 · ESTC S107166

Title page: Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy, digitized by the Internet Archive (opens the Internet Archive in a new tab)

THE SERMONS of Master John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses call… › Sermon 86: On Friday the xj. of October. 1555. The Lxxxvi. Sermon which is the first upon the their…THE SERMONS of Master Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses cal… › Sermon 86: On Fryday the xj. of October. 1555. The Lxxxvi. Sermon which is the first vpon the thir…

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.

[ Earlier:2050–2065 of 6,323

:2050p. 531§60

It is too high a mounting for men to make themselves judges and umpires of Gods trueth, which the Angels do honour with all reverence. Needs therefore must such men fall into horrible destruction. And therefore let us beware that we bridle our selves, so as our minds wander not out into fond curiosity. And as soon as we perceive that the devil goes about to falsify Gods pure trueth, let us stop our ears, and not hearken to any such thing, but utterly abhor it.

It is too high a mounting for men to make themselues iudges and vmpers of Gods trueth, which the Angels do honour with all reuerence. Needes therefore must such men fall into horrible destruction. And therfore let vs beware that wee brydle our selues, so as our mindes wander not out into fond curiositie. And as soone as wee perceiue that ye diuel goes about to falsifie Gods pure trueth, let vs stop our eares, and not harken to any such thing, but vtterly abhorre it.

:2051p. 531§10

Now moreover Moses saith, That although the false prophets show some sign or miracle, & the same cometh to pass, yet must not men give ear unto them. Here he showeth that we must have such constā city and steadfastness in our faith, as it may not be overthrown though there be never so great occasion of stumbling. As for example, if there be such an illusion of Satan, that a false-prophet say unto us, such a thing shall come to pass, and it cometh to pass in deed: then §20are we at our wits end, and it is enough to overthrow our whole building though it were never so well builded, unless God work on our side above the power of mans ability. But yet howsoever the world go, Gods trueth must be of such force with us as to hold us back against all such temptation, so as if the devil bring any illusion, he may not gain any thing at our hands, nor prevail against us.

Now moreouer Moses sayth, That although the false prophets shewe some signe or myracle, & the same commeth to passe, yet must not men giue eare vnto thē. Here he sheweth that we must haue such constā cie and stedfastnesse in our faith, as it may not bee ouerthrowen though there bee neuer so great occasion of stumbling. As for example, if there bee such an illusion of Satan, that a false-prophet say vnto vs, such a thing shall come to passe, and it commeth to passe in deede: then

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Title as printed: 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.
Author: John Calvin 1509–1564
Place: London
Printer: Henry Middleton
Bookseller: George Bishop
Year: 1583
Size: [12], 1247, [145] p.
Words: 1,484,943
Catalogue: STC 4442 · ESTC S107166
Text: EEBO-TCP A17698

Passages: 6,323
Sections: 1,725

:2052p. 531§20

And let us mark, that before that Moses saith §30so: he giveth us a sure declaration of false prophets, that is to say, of such as go about to turn us from the true God, whom were have once known, and would wrap us in wicked superstitions wherein there is no reason. If any such thing befall us, no marvel though our Lord will have us to resist all that ever the devil putteth to us to blear our eyes withal, yea, even though there be false miracles, in so much that although all that the false prophet or deceiver foretelleth, do §40come to pass; yet must we not be led away by it. We see then in effect what the meaning of Moses is, that we must be so well fenced by gods word, that although the devil rush against us with never so great violence, and work all the means he can to beguile us; yet we must not be overcome, but our faith must be as a well guarded fortress, that notwithstanding any assault, or any battery made against us, yet it may ward all blows, and be able to save it self from being §50vanquished by any enemies.

And let vs marke, that before that Moses saith §30so: he giueth vs a sure declaration of false prophets, that is to say, of such as go about to turne vs from the true God, whome were haue once knowen, and would wrap vs in wicked superstitions wherin there is no reason. If any such thing befall vs, no maruel though our Lorde will haue vs to resist all that euer the diuel putteth to vs to bleare our eyes withal, yea, euen though there bee false miracles, in so much that although all that the false prophet or deceiuer foretelleth, do §40come to passe; yet must wee not be led away by it. We see then in effect what the meaning of Moses is, that we must be so well fenced by gods worde, that although the diuell rush against vs with neuer so great violence, and worke all the meanes he can to beguyle vs; yet we must not be ouercome, but our faith must be as a wel garded fortresse, that notwithstanding any assault, or any battrie made against vs, yet it may warde all blowes, and bee able to saue it selfe from beeing §50vanquished by any enemies.

:2053p. 531§50

And now let us mark, that if God send such false miracles; it is not to entrap those that are his; but to punish such as have not believed the Gospel,¹ as Saint Paul speaketh thereof in the second to the Thessalonians. And therefore doth Moses also add, Then is it Gods will to try thee whether thou lovest him with all thy heart & all thy soul or no. It is a saying that deserveth to be well marked. For first Moses doeth us to understand,§60 that such things happen not without the ordinance of God: and secondly he showeth the end or reason wherefore: namely that the faithful may have wherewith to be confirmed, knowing well that God will give them constancy to hold out, though the temptation be never so rough and violent. Those are the two things which we have to remember here. First, it is said, God trieth thee. Hereby he showeth, that Satan hath no power over us, nor can sow any wicked weeds, further forth than God giveth him leave. And that is a very needful thing for us to mark. For were we persuaded that the door were open for Satan, and that all errors might spring up at all adventure, and that God over ruled them not: alas what a thing were it? For we see how mad the devil is to overthrow all trueth: we see with what fury he goes to work when he is to fight against the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ: and we see what spite he beareth to our salvation. And therefore things would go too much to havoc if God wrought not to hinder Satan of his full scope, that he might not set up his lies among us. Wherefore let us understand, that whensoever there is any trouble, division, or diversity of opinion in the Church, the same happeneth not at all adventure, but God worketh from above, and overruleth the whole matter, according to this protestation of Moses, Thy God trieth thee. Ye see then that by knowing that God holdeth us under his hand, we be assured that no errors or abuses can have access unto us, unless so far forth as our Lord give them access. And mark it for a special point, to the end we think not that the devil reigneth at his own pleasure, and doeth all things as it were whether God will or no: for he must be fain to have leave of his master.

And now let vs marke, that if God sende such false miracles; it is not to intrap those that are his; but to punish such as haue not beleeued the Gospel,¹ as Saint Paul speaketh thereof in the seconde to the Thessalonians. And therefore doth Moses also adde, Then is it Gods will to try thee whether thou louest him with all thy heart & all thy soule or no. It is a saying that deserueth to be wel marked. For first Moses doeth vs to vnderstande,§60 that such thinges happen not without the ordinance of God: and secondly hee sheweth the ende or reason wherefore: namely that the faithfull may haue wherewith to bee confirmed, knowing well that God will giue them constancie to holde out, though the temptation be neuer so rough and violent. Those are the two thinges which wee haue to remember here. First, it is sayd, God tryeth thee. Hereby hee sheweth, that Satan hath no power ouer vs, nor can sowe any wicked weedes, further foorth than God giueth him leaue. And that is a verie needefull thing for vs to marke. For were wee perswaded that the doore were open for Satan, and that all errours might spring vp at all aduenture, and that God ouer ruled them not: alas what a thing were it? For wee see howe mad the diuel is to ouerthrowe all trueth: wee see with what furie hee goes to worke when hee is to fight against the kingdome of our Lorde Iesus Christ: and we see what spite hee beareth to our saluation. And therefore things would go too much to hauocke if God wrought not to hinder Satan of his full scope, that hee might not set vp his lyes among vs. Wherefore let vs vnderstande, that whensoeuer there is any trouble, diuision, or diuersitie of opinion in the Church, the same happeneth not at all aduenture, but God worketh from aboue, and ouerruleth the whole matter, according to this protestation of Moses, Thy God tryeth thee. Yee see then that by knowing that God holdeth vs vnder his hande, wee bee assured that no errours or abuses can haue accesse vnto vs, vnlesse so farre foorth as our Lorde giue them accesse. And marke it for a speciall point, to the ende wee thinke not that the diuel reigneth at his owne pleasure, and doeth all thinges as it were whether God will or no: for hee must bee faine to haue leaue of his master.

12. Thes. 2.12

:2054p. 531§60

And now let us come to that which Moses addeth concerning the end and reason why God doeth it: For we may think it strange. What? That God should try us? That errors should be said to come so of God? Then is he the author of lying. Again, doeth God stir up the devil unto evil? Then might we take occasion of stumbling at it. Yea; but in as much as Moses addeth that God doeth it for just cause, the stumbling block is taken away. He saith that God tempteth us, that is to say, that he trieth us. After what manner? Whether we love the Lord our God or no. And hereby he showeth, (as I have declared heretofore) that if we have a right meaning and pure heart, and have received his trueth without hypocrisy, he will help us at our need, and we shall be upheld by his power, so as Satan may well strain himself to the uttermost, but the victory shall always go on our side. And this is the thing that I have touched out of Saint Paul where he saith, that all the false miracles which befall under the reign of Antichrist,¹ (as many have been seen) are all revengements of God, to punish such as would not obey his trueth. And it is good reason that Satan should drive them to destruction, sith they would not open their eyes at such time as God would have enlightened them. And seeing they have thrust all good doctrine under foot; it is meet that they should be deceived by lies.

And nowe let vs come to that which Moses addeth concerning the ende and reason why God doeth it: For wee may thinke it strange. What? That God shoulde trye vs? That errors shoulde bee saide to come so of God? Then is hee the author of lying. Againe, doeth God stirre vp the diuell vnto euill? Then might wee take occasion of stumbling at it. Yea; but in as much as Moses addeth that God doeth it for iust cause, the stumbling blocke is taken away. Hee sayth that God tempteth vs, that is to saye, that hee tryeth vs. After what maner? Whether we loue the Lorde our God or no. And hereby hee sheweth, (as I haue declared heretofore) that if wee haue a right meaning and pure heart, and haue receiued his trueth without hypocrisie, he will helpe vs at our neede, and we shalbe vpheld by his power, so as Satan may well straine himselfe to the vttermost, but the victorie shall alwayes go on our side. And this is the thing that I haue touched out of Saint Paul where he sayth, that all the false miracles which befall vnder the reigne of Antichrist,¹ (as many haue been seene) are all reuengements of God, to punish such as woulde not obey his trueth. And it is good reason that Satan shoulde driue them to destruction, sith they woulde not open their eyes at such time as God woulde haue enlightened them. And seeing they haue thrust all good doctrine vnder foote; it is meete that they shoulde bee deceiued by lyes.

12. Thes. 2.12

:2055p. 531–532§60

But let us come back again to the words of Moses. He saith that we be tried, to weet if we ⟨p. 532⟩love the Lord our God. Hereby he showeth, that God putteth a difference between the hypocrites and such as serve him in soundness of heart, at such time as heresies spring up and that there is trouble and disagreement. And why? For it is certain that such as love God are preserved by the power of his holy Ghost, & that the troubles which they sustain are a good proof and sealing up of their faith, whereby the same is made authentical. God showeth by §10effect how he hath wrought in them, and that they be in very deed of the number of those whom he hath chosen. So then let us understand, that all the errors and heresies which the devil shall have sowed among us, shall be turned to good end to all Gods children. So far off is it that they bring us any hurt or harm, that they serve ever to make our faith shine the brighter, and to warrant us that God hath succoured us, and that he will have the §20same known to the whole world, so as he may be glorified for it. And we also have the more cause to rest upon him with the greater certainty of faith, and to trust that he will never fail us.

But let vs come backe againe to the wordes of Moses. He sayth that wee be tryed, to weete if wee ⟨p. 532⟩loue the Lorde our God. Heereby hee sheweth, that God putteth a difference betweene the hypocrites and such as serue him in soundnesse of heart, at such time as heresies spring vp and that there is trouble and disagreement. And why? For it is certaine that such as loue God are preserued by the power of his holy Ghoste, & that the troubles which they susteyne are a good proofe and sealing vp of their faith, whereby the same is made autenticall. God sheweth by §10effect howe hee hath wrought in them, and that they bee in verie deede of the number of those whome hee hath chosen. So then let vs vnderstand, that all the errours and heresies which the diuell shall haue sowed among vs, shalbee turned to good ende to all Gods children. So farre off is it that they bring vs any hurte or harme, that they serue euer to make our faith shyne the brighter, and to warrant vs that God hath succoured vs, and that hee will haue the §20same knowen to the whole worlde, so as he may bee glorified for it. And we also haue the more cause to rest vppon him with the greater certaintie of faith, and to trust that hee will neuer faile vs.

:2056p. 532§20

For as much then as we see that our Lord worketh in such wise as he turneth darkness into light, and deadly poison to our health: have we not whereof to rejoice? and ought we not to be patient albeit that troubles do vex us §30for a time, and that we have much ado to resist? Yet ought not our hearts to quail, seeing that God giveth it so happy an issue. Thus much concerning the first point; that is to wit, that if we love God with all our heart, that is to say, roundly and soundly and without counterfeiting: he will not suffer us to be beguiled: but whensoever Satan comes to sow troubles and heresies, we shall be confirmed still better and better, and profit in such wise, as we shall never §40be overcome. And therewithal we shall have the better proof that we be of the number of his servants, and of those whom he hath committed to the custody of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we shall see this saying fulfilled, that he will never suffer any of the things to perish,¹ which his father hath put into his hand. We see then how our Lord Jesus Christ is the keeper of our salvation; & that we find the thing by experience which Saint §50Peter sayeth;² namely that our salvation is kept in heaven by faith, and that we our selves also shall get the upper hand of all the temptations which the devil stirreth up against us, by sowing such cockle and darnel to the prejudice of Gods trueth.

For as much then as wee see that our Lorde worketh in such wise as hee turneth darkenesse into light, and deadly poyson to our health: haue wee not whereof to reioyce? and ought wee not to bee patient albeit that troubles doe vexe vs §30for a time, and that wee haue much adoo to resist? Yet ought not our heartes to quaile, seeing that God giueth it so happie an issue. Thus much concerning the first poynt; that is to witte, that if wee loue God with all our heart, that is to say, roundly and soundly and without counterfayting: hee will not suffer vs to bee beguyled: but whensoeuer Satan comes to sowe troubles and heresies, wee shalbee confirmed still better and better, and profite in such wise, as wee shall neuer §40bee ouercome. And therewithall wee shall haue the better proofe that wee bee of the number of his seruauntes, and of those whome hee hath committed to the custodie of our Lorde Iesus Christ, and that wee shall see this saying fulfilled, that hee will neuer suffer any of the things to perish,¹ which his father hath put into his hande. Wee see then howe our Lorde Iesus Christ is the keeper of our saluation; & that wee finde the thing by experience which Saint §50Peter sayeth;² namely that our saluation is kept in heauen by faith, and that wee our selues also shall get the vpper hande of all the temptations which the diuell stirreth vp against vs, by sowing such cockle and darnel to the preiudice of Gods trueth.

1Job. 18.9.Iob. 18.9.
21. Pet. 1.4.5.

:2059p. 532–533§60

And in deed, experience shows it in such as turn back and fall to naughtiness after they have once known the Gospel. We have seen here that when Satan's underlings have come hither to set troubles in the Church, those that have been seduced by them have known them well enough of old, and not now of late, for I speak of the space of eighteen years. Since the troubling of this Church, divers sects have been seen, and still God hath been fain to show and to point these out with his finger, which had nothing in them but dissimulation & hypocrisy, how fair countenance soever they did make. And I say that this hath been known now these eighteen years; insomuch that even they that have pretended to be great upholders of the Gospel, are well known to me how they have behaved themselves, & I could rehearse their doings if need were, but it is enough to give men an inkling of them, that others might take example by them. When the Anabaptists came hither to infect all, there was great cheer made them in the townhouse, and this was about an eighteen years ago. True it is, that men were constrained to reprove their doctrine openly: but yet in the meanwhile they were still chocked under the chin; & in steed of resisting them lustily, feasts were made to entertain them with. And since that time, we have seen in our own days, (and that not long ago) how other heretics have been favoured at their coming hither, and specially how that horrible blasphemer was supported. And by whom? By such as had so long despised God, that in the end their shame was of necessity to be discovered. They protested sufficiently that their desire was to have the Gospel: but that was the gospel of Mahomet to turn all things upside down, and to bring all things to confusion. For the world hath seen how far they overshot themselves; insomuch that they took part against God and his word. Now sith we have such examples, let us learn to live in fear and wariness, and always come back to that which is told us here, that is to ⟨p. 533⟩wit, that it is not without cause that our Lord sayeth, that he trieth and examineth such as were disguised afore: and that when he suffereth false prophets to be stirred up by Satan, to sow their darnel among us, it is to try us whether we love him with all our heart or no.

And in deede, experience shewes it in such as turne backe and fall to naughtinesse after they haue once knowen the Gospell. Wee haue seene here that when Satans vnderlinges haue come hither to set troubles in the Church, those that haue beene seduced by them haue knowen them welynough of olde, and not nowe of late, for I speake of the space of eyghteene yeares. Since the troubling of this Church, diuers sectes haue been seene, and stil God hath beene faine to shewe and to poynt these out with his finger, which had nothing in them but dissimulation & hypocrisie, howe faire countenance soeuer they did make. And I say that this hath beene knowen nowe these eyghteene yeres; insomuch that euen they that haue pretended to bee great vpholders of the Gospell, are well knowen to mee howe they haue behaued themselues, & I could rehearse their doings if neede were, but it is ynough to giue men an incling of them, that others might take example by them. When the Anabaptistes came hither to infect all, there was great cheere made them in the townhouse, and this was about an eyghteene yeares ago. True it is, that men were constrained to reproue their doctrine openly: but yet in the meanewhile they were still chockt vnder the chinne; & in steed of resisting them lustily, feastes were made to entertaine them with. And since that time, wee haue seene in our owne dayes, (and that not long ago) howe other heretikes haue beene fauoured at their comming hither, and specially howe that horrible blasphemer was supported. And by whom? By such as had so long despised God, that in the ende their shame was of necessitie to bee discouered. They protested sufficiently that their desire was to haue the Gospell: but that was the gospell of Mahomet to turne all thinges vpside downe, and to bring all things to confusion. For the worlde hath seene howe farre they ouershot themselues; insomuch that they tooke parte against God and his word. Nowe sith wee haue such examples, let vs learne to liue in feare and warinesse, and alwayes come backe to that which is tolde vs here, that is to ⟨p. 533⟩wit, that it is not without cause that our Lorde sayeth, that hee tryeth and examineth such as were disguized afore: and that when hee suffereth false prophets to bee stirred vp by Satan, to sowe their darnell among vs, it is to trye vs whether wee loue him with all our heart or no.