A17698:2057
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.
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