A17698:287
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.
Also we have to mark this similitude that Moses setteth down here: namely that the Amorites came out like Bees. For we know that when Bees are angry, they sting men: and they regard not whether men be too strong for them, but they fly upon them with such choler and fury, as they cannot but be astonished. They seek to sting their eyes: so as there is not the hardiest of them, but he is put to his shifts, and is fain to run away from those little pretty fowls. Moses then hath used this similitude, to show that the enemies had Lyons hearts, because God had encouraged them. For it belongeth to him only to strengthen men. When it pleaseth him to defend us, though our enemies were as mad as might be, yet should they shrink away, and be dismayed at a thing of nothing. But else, if there were but little children against us, GOD would so strengthen them, as we should not know where to become, but be discomfited before them. Therefore let us not have an eye to the strength of men, nor to their furniture. For our Lord will stir up folk against us, that could do nothing afore, and in whom there was no likelihood at all: and we shall be so cumbered to withstand them, that to our seeming, all the world is against us: and moreover we shall be so dismayed, and GOD shall so bereave us of all sense and reason, that even a visor shall be enough to scar us out of our wits. Thus ye see what we have to consider in this similitude which Moses hath set down here in the text.
Also wee haue to marke this similitude that Moses setteth downe here: namely that the Ammorrhytes came out lyke Bees. For wee knowe that when Bees are angrye, they sting men: and they regard not whether men be too strong for them, but they fly vppon them with such choler and furie, as they cannot but be astonished. They seke to sting their eyes: so as there is not the hardiest of them, but he is put to his shiftes, and is faine to runne away from those little pretie fowles. Moses then hath vsed this similitude, to shewe that the enemies had Lyons hearts, because God had incouraged them. For it belongeth to him onely to strengthen men. When it pleaseth him to defend vs, though our enemies were as mad as might be, yet should they shrinke away, and be dismayed at a thing of nothing. But else, if there were but little children against vs, GOD would so strēgthen them, as we should not know where to become, but bee discomfited before them. Therefore let vs not haue an eye to the strength of men, nor to their furniture. For our Lord will stirre vp folke against vs, that coulde doe nothing afore, and in whom there was no lykelyhoode at all: and wee shall be so combred to withstand them, that to our seeming, all the world is against vs: and moreouer wee shall be so dismayed, and GOD shall so bereaue vs of all sense and reason, that euen a visor shall be enough to scarre vs out of our wittes. Thus yee see what wee haue to consider in this similitude which Moses hath set downe here in the text.