A17698:2070
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.
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 §20to prevent the mischief. Again let us consider what Satan is able to do:2 He is the prince of this world, and therefore we shall soon be overtaken by him, the rather if we be slothful, careless, or negligent. Then is it not without cause that our Lord warneth us to take so good order, as such a plague may not lurk among us; that is to wit, that we may not have deceivers to beguile the simple, and to mar them by turning them from the pure trueth.§30 For it is a likelihood that we would fain be turned away from GOD, when we give the mischief such scope. If there were a breach in our town wall, and our enemies were at hand or that we were already besieged, so as we looked for the assault every minute of an hour; would we not provide for it? Now the case standeth so with us, that our enemy is not only at hand, but also is entered in already. When we hear his lies, and withstand them not, nor §40make account of them; we may seem to be wilfully disposed to perish, as we be worthy. And as touching us that are shepherds, it standeth us in hand to have a double voice. For we must gather together the sheep as much as is possible: and when they be in the flock, we must keep them there quietly. But if there be wolves also, and thieves that would invade the flock: against those we must cry out aloud.