A17698:278
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 he showeth expressly, that it shall not boot us to do any thing unless God command it, according as it hath been declared heretofore how it belongeth to him to fight. True it is that he will have the faithful to enforce themselves, but yet in so doing we must attribute all unto him. Therefore if he be on our side we shall be sure of the victory: but if he shrink from us, we shall have the foil though all the world helped us. Then is there but this one only respect that ⟨p. 55⟩may give us courage: which is, that God be at hand with us to succour us, so as we be sure of his assistance, and rest wholly thereupon. Nevertheless it is not for men to bear themselves in hand that God will aide them, further than he hath assured us by his promise. But it is certain that God makes no promise to any, but to such as walk in obedience. Whosoever then flingeth over the fields, that is to say, whosoever gaddeth here and there, & resteth not simply upon Gods §10word, doeth utterly refuse the benefit that God had promised him, & bereaveth himself thereof wilfully. For the receiving of Gods word to the end we may know what to do, and be ruled by his mouth: and to trust in him, so as we be grounded upon his grace, and resort to him for succour at our need, are things inseparable. He therefore that will needs dally upon his own head, and trust to his own foolish imaginations without submitting himself to God: may well say, I hope §20God will help me: but his hope hath no resemblance to the hope of the faithful. So then, seeing we perceive what our own imaginations are: let us look what things God giveth us leave to do▪ and what is lawful for us to do by his word. And therewithal, let us be forward in doing that which he biddeth us, waiting for his blessing whereby he will make all to prosper. For although we see the contrary to our understanding: yet shall we overcome all impediments by his help.
And he sheweth expressely, that it shall not boote vs to do any thing vnlesse God command it, according as it hath bene declared heretofore how it belongeth to him to fight. True it is that he will haue the faithfull to inforce themselues, but yet in so dooing wee must attribute all vnto him. Therefore if he be on our side we shall bee sure of the victorie: but if he shrinke from vs, we shall haue the foyle though all the world helped vs. Then is there but this one onely respect that