A17698:269
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.
Howbeit, for the better understanding of this matter, let us mark that this people offended in preaching forward without promise. For as I have said afore, we must not be hardy any further than God biddeth us. Therefore when we have but a word of his mouth, we must take courage, and put all lette• under foot that may turn us away. For the thing wherein GOD will be glorified, is that he command us nothing in vain. And specially when he promiseth us good success to our matters, and to prosper our doings: then must we rest thereupon, assuring our selves that he will give us ⟨p. 53⟩good dispatch. Nevertheless when God had sworn, that the people should not come there: then would they needs go up against their enemies, not considering that in so doing they resisted GOD, and advanced themselves against him. True it is that if a man had asked them, whether they minded to resist God or no, and to do clean contrary to his will, or whether they minded to have him to be their adversary: they would have answered, No:§10 We believe that God will help us. For why? He hath delivered us out of Egypt, he hath promised our father Abraham to give this land in possession to his linage, and the time is now come. Yea but there is no promise [to you,] and therefore it is but fond presumption or rather stark madness, when men take a toy in their heads, and adventure to do this or that, when in the mean while God hath not promised any such thing. So then §20let us mark well, that we must not be bold upon our own head, but hearken till God speak: and when we have his promise, we must rule our selves thereby, and not pass the bounds thereof. For else it may happen unto us, as Moses reporteth here that it happened to this people: that is to wit that we shall do all things arsyversy, and so offend God. In so much that when we ween to do well, we shall double our faults: when GOD §30commandeth us to go, we shall be as though our legs were broken: and when he commandeth us to tarry, we shall run too swift: and so, all our whole life shall be out of order.
Howbeit, for the better vnderstanding of this matter, let vs marke that this people offended in preacing forwarde without promise. For as I haue saide afore, we must not be hardie any further than God biddeth vs. Therefore when wee haue but a worde of his mouth, we must take corage, and put all lette vnder foote that may turne vs away. For the thing wherein GOD will bee glorified, is that hee commaunde vs nothing in vaine. And speciallie when hee promiseth vs good successe to our matters, and to prosper our doings: then must we rest thervpon, assuring our selues that hee will giue vs