A17698:3657
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.
The second point is, that we must not §10think to escape the scourges of God, be we never so subtle; but that we shall ever be caught by the back, if God be against us. And well may we make us shields, and rampiers: but when we have practised what we can: yet will not our Lord miss to find us, he needs but to blow upon all our defences whereby we think to guard our selves against him. It is not like as if we should have to do with creatures. Against them we might fortify our §20selves both behind and before; but God will knock us on the pates from heaven. We can have neither shield nor rampire against him, in hope thereby to stop his hand from touching us, when it pleaseth him to punish us.
The seconde poynt is, that wee must not §10thinke to escape the scourges of God, bee wee neuer so subtile; but that wee shall euer bee caught by the backe, if God bee against vs. And well may wee make vs sheeldes, and rampyres: but when wee haue practised what wee can: yet will not our Lorde misse to finde vs, he needs but to blowe vppon all our defences whereby wee thinke to garde our selues against him. It is not like as if wee shoulde haue to doe with creatures. Against them wee might fortifie our §20selues both behynde and before; but God will knocke vs on the pates from heauen. Wee can haue neither shielde nor rampaire against him, in hope thereby to stoppe his hande from touching vs, when it pleaseth him to punish vs.
Again, to what end shall all the fortifications serve that we are able to build against him, but to overthrow our selves? Let us therefore understand, that all that ever men can do §30against God, shall turn to their own confusion, and utter overthrow. That is the thing which Moses meant, when he said, That we shall be cursed in the town and in the field, that we shall be cursed in our going forth, and in our coming in, if we obey not the voice of our God. And as he said afore, that God will open his good treasure from heaven, to give us rain in due time; so now he saith, That God will make our heaven as Brass, and our earth as Iron, and that in