A17698:277
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.
WE saw yesterday how it is not lawful for us to put forth our selves, except GOD call us and show us the way: and that although the thing which we take in hand, be never so allowable in respect of men, yet is it nothing worth unless God be our guide, and that we be sure that we adventure upon nothing but by his will. Therewithal we saw also that we §10have too ticklish a nature, insomuch that when any thing is to be done [that liketh our selves,] we be but too forward, and we cannot tarry till GOD show us his will. And that on the contrary part, we see what unlustinesse is in us when God commandeth us any thing: for then we be so lazy as is pity to see, it seemeth that our legs are broken: and to be short, we be stark lame. Nay (which worse is) when we ween to do well, we mar all §20by our rashness. And this is confirmed yet better by that which Moses addeth. For he rehearseth what GOD had enjoined him. Thou shalt say unto them, Go not up, we fight not, for I am not with you (sayeth the Lord,) and therefore ye shall be overcome. In this sentence we see how it belongeth to God to say, Go: and likewise to bid us tarry, when he thinketh good. And if we have not that voice to guide us: we may well seek all manner of furniture, and we may be well enough armed to the sight of the world: but yet shall there be nothing but confusion in our case. Then like as we must simply obey the thing that GOD commandeth, and hast forward with all speed when we see it is his pleasure that we should go: so on the contrary part, when he will have us to sit still, let his forbidding suffice us, assuring our selves that he will turn all things upside down, if we think to further the matter by thrusting our selves forward. To be short, we must yield God no less honour & reverence, in for bearing to do things when he forbiddeth them: than in doing and executing the things that he liketh.
WE sawe yesterday howe it is not lawfull for vs to put foorth our selues, except GOD call vs and shewe vs the way: and that although the thing which wee take in hande, bee neuer so allowable in respect of men, yet is it nothing woorth vnlesse God bee our guide, and that wee bee sure that wee aduenture vppon nothing but by his will. Therewithall wee sawe also that we §10haue too ticklish a nature, insomuch that when any thing is to be done [that lyketh our selues,] wee bee but too forewarde, and wee cannot tarie till GOD shewe vs his will. And that on the contrarie part, wee see what vnlustinesse is in vs when God commaundeth vs any thing: for then wee bee so lasie as is pitie to see, it seemeth that our legges are broken: and to bee short, wee bee starke lame. Nay (which worse is) when wee weene to doe well, wee marre all