A17698:266
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.
Moreover we see that Moses is commanded to strengthen Joshua. So little ought Moses to be grieved at the preferring of his servant before himself, that he must instruct him and hearten him. As if he should say, I see now it is Gods will to honour thee by dishonouring me. I am worthy of it, and I must be fain to bear it, and therewithal also to prepare thee to thine office. Although thou take my place: yet will I not set my self against thee, but (which more is) I will §10help thee to the uttermost of my power. Now am I become thy servant. Whereas God had erst advanced me: I must now give up this preeminence, and thou must take my room: and I must endeavour as much as I can, that the benefit which Gods will is to bestow upon thee, may avail in thee. So then, if it please God to take any man to serve him, let us strain our selves to help him, and let us not be ashamed to put our shoulders under him to heave him §20up. Let us not have any of these wicked respects, to say, O ho, truly as for me, if God were so gracious to me as to advance me as well as such a one, I would bestir me. But forasmuch as he holdeth me down to the ground, I will not meddle with other men. Let us beware of such churlishness. Nay rather when we see that God hath chosen a man: [let us reason thus with our selves.] I see that God hath chosen such a man, indeed he is not the ablest that could §30be devised, but yet is it Gods will to be served by him, and we see he hath a good will: therefore let us help him, let every of us reach him his hand, and let every of us consider wherein he may succour him to his furtherance. Ye see then that the thing which we have to mark here, is that although our working bear no great outward show, and that the things which we do have no great gloss to commend them to the world: yet we must not therefore §40cease to serve God according to our power, and to link in with those by whom it is Gods will to be served, and not to imagine any thing that may forslow us, or make us say, At whose whose hand shall I be recompensed? That which I have done is as good as lost, men make none account of it. It shall well enough come in account before God. And therefore let it suffice us to be allowed at his hand. These are y• things that we have to note upon this, that Moses was §50