A17698:215
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 herewithal, when God hath so strengthened us, and given us the upper hand of all assaults that could be put unto us: he must be fain to uphold us still within. For else should §40not we be able to go one step, and we should want all that ever belongeth to our salvation. And even as a young child should dye, if it were not succoured: even so is it with us. If a little child be let alone, he will cast himself into the fire or into the water, he could not take one bit of bread to feed himself withal, he must be borne in arms, he must be swaddled, he could not dress himself, he would starve for cold sooner than come to the fire, and §50to be short, we see that a young babe before he come to some age, is the miserablest creature that can be devised: and even so is it with us in respect of our God. Let us set as much store by our selves as we list, as we see that men do, glorying marvellously in their own opinion: and yet is there more infirmity in us than in little infants. He must be fain to rule us, he must be fain to feed us, he must be fain to carry us, he must be fain to clothe us, he must be §60fain to do all for us. For if we have any wit at all, it is of his gift: if we have any strength, it cometh of him: if we have any ability or helps, it is he that giveth them. True it is, that we could not enjoy the least benefit in the world, but by faith, I mean to our profit: but yet for all that, it is he to whom we be beholden for all. Now therefore, when we once perceive that God hath given us strength and stoutness to outstand the temptations that Satan hath stirred up against us: that we have not bin wounded to death by his venomous darts and arrows: that we have not wallowed in the muck of this world: that we have not bin caught in the snares of the wicked: that their practises and wiles have not prevailed against us: and that God hath succoured us at all assays: I say when we have perceived that: let us also consider that God hath borne us, that he hath fed and nourished us, that he hath clothed us, and that he hath as it were put our meat into our mouths. The thing then whereupon we must set our minds, that we may well bethink us of Gods benefits: is that the same must serve us for a warrant and confirmation of our faith, both in life and in death.
Now herewithal, when God hath so strengthened vs, and giuen vs the vpper hand of all assaultes that could be put vnto vs: he must bee faine to vpholde vs still within. For else shoulde