A17698:2069
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.
But let us go back again to this saying, that although the false Prophet have given some sign or foretold some wonder, and the same thing is come to pass: yet notwithstanding we must hold our own still. Here it might be demanded whether the devil can prophesy or no. I stand not much upon that, it is not material: but I have answered before, that GOD is above him, and that it is his will that his Church should live in warfare, to the end that the faith of all his might be exercised. Then if a deceiver foretell a thing, and the same fall out in deed: it is not to be said, but that GOD hath given him the bridle. Therefore it is not for us to trouble
But let vs goe backe againe to this saying, that although the false Prophet haue giuen some signe or foretolde some wonder, and the same thing is come to passe: yet notwithstanding wee must hold our owne still. Here it might be demaunded whether the diuell can prophesie or no. I stande not much vppon that, it is not materiall: but I haue aunswered before, that GOD is aboue him, and that it is his will that his Church shoulde liue in warrefare, to the ende that the faith of all his might be exercised. Then if a deceiuer foretell a thing, and the same fal out in deede: it is not to bee saide, but that GOD hath giuen him the brydle. Therefore it is not for vs to trouble
entrance into us: but also (as Saint Paul saith) to be diligent in purging of Gods Church from them,1 that such a plague be not nourished among us. And truly if we knew our own frailty, and considered well on the other side what Satan is able to do against us: it is certain that we would stand more upon our guard than we be wont to do. True it is (as I have said already) that we would fain repose and stay our selves upon GOD, so as §10we might not minister any occasion to Satan to beguile us; and surely if we through our own fond desire of seeking lies, did not cast ourselves into Satan's snares, we should be sure that GOD would always preserve us. But forasmuch as we be too too weak, and Satan needs no more but to hold up his finger to us, to carry us out of hand from the right way of salvation: in respect thereof we ought so much the more to seek the remedies whereby