A17698:3381
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.
Now it is said: When GOD hath given thee rest from all thine enemies in the land whither th•• goest to possess it, then remember the Amalekites. By the•• words we are given to understand,§30 first of all, that the people to the end they might be the more encouraged to execute that which Moses had in GODS name commanded them; are certified in this place, that in the end they should have the victory over all their enemies. For it had been a matter of laughter, if Moses had said, Remember Amalec, and when thou hast made a dispatch of all the rest, root him out also. For the Jews might have answered:§40 What are we to root him out? Why? We are yet Wanderers; we live as it were at the courtesy of another man; we know not what will betide us. In deed God promised unto us, the land of Canaan, but hath he not led us up and down in the wilderness, as if we were worthy to be altogether deprived and defeated of the possession of that land which he promised us? Why? We are yet to enter into it. And what are we then able to do unto Amalec, seeing we have so §50many and so strong enemies? For this cause Moses setteth down this promise, When the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies, (saith he.) Now hereby we are warned, that when God commandeth us any thing which seemeth hard, yea or altogether unpossible, we ought to have an eye unto his power: for otherwise our courage cannot but fail us. And they which of themselves presume to execute whatsoever GOD teacheth by his word, do §60break their necks in the end through their foolish presumption. Seeing then it is so, let us humbly and earnestly desire of GOD, so to strengthen us as we may be able to obey him. For the doing whereof let us have an eye unto his promises. For when GOD saith unto us, Do thus: he addeth, care not though men withstand you: if you cannot accomplish that which I command you, I have power sufficient in me to supply your weakness: I will uphold you: and when it shall seem that you are fallen down, I have means wherewith to help you up again: and if the thing be more than you can do, I will bring it to pass for you. Let us therefore arm our selves with these promises, and thereupon take courage to march forward in our way; and what threats soever we hear, or what stumbling blocks so ever are laid in our way;