A17698:2638
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 in the same respect is it said in the end, Thou shalt not be afraid of such a Prophet. He saith not, thou shalt not fear such a prophet: but word for word it is, thou shalt not be afraid of such a Prophet. For here God meant to arm his faithful ones with constancy, that they might not be put out of countenance by any fair disguisement: but that when they are once instructed in the faith, they should defy all such as vaunt them selves §30and come to make gay shows under the name of God, as I have told you afore, that sometimes men are too fearful. In deed there are that mock at God and have no feeling of conscience at all, but set as light by the trueth as they do by leasings: & even at this day, there are that make as much account of the Gospel, as of the abuses of the Popedom: Jesus Christ & the Pope are all one to them. What a sort of mockers are to be seen, which will needs be §40counted good Christians because they hold scorn of the popish superstitions; and yet in the mean while are despisers of God and his word? Surely they be but dogs and hogs, without any fear of God or civil honesty. And yet is the world too full of such corruption and infection. Again there are othersome very tenderhearted. Not that it is not a virtue to stand in some fear: but because they be overfearefull: when they be vexed with any scruple of conscience, they wot not §50which way to turn them. For if an error be put unto them, they dare not receive it for fear: again on the other side, if the trueth be put unto them, their agreeing to it (if they do agree) is not with any certainty. Ye shall see a number that are ever wavering, like reeds shaken with the wind. The Mass is holy with them, & the Gospel is holy with them also, and yet they be certain of none of both. Now our Lord will not have us to stand in any such fear. He will have §60us to be sure of his word; & when his trueth is throughly proved unto us, he will have us to defy the world; & all the devils of hell; Insomuch that if the very Angels of heaven should set themselves against the Gospel,1 we see how S. Paul saith that we must hold them for accursed and excommunicate. God then will have his word honoured so highly, that when we once know it & are sure of it, we must not be any more afraid.