A17698:2054
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.
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 §20are wee at our wittes end, and it is ynough to ouerthrowe our whole building though it were neuer so well builded, vnlesse God worke on our side aboue the power of mans abilitie. But yet howsoeuer the world go, Gods trueth must be of such force with vs as to holde vs backe against al such temptation, so as if the diuel bring any illusion, he may not gaine any thing at our handes, nor preuaile against vs.
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