A17698:3811
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 when it is said that we carry our life in our hands, it is to show, that where as life should bear the man, the man beareth the life: that is to say, the life is left up to the hazard of all misfortune. Even so it is §30with all men naturally, and as we have already said, the very faithful are not free from it, and that do we see by example in Job, and David. Notwithstanding, the despisers of God are they that feel most how their life hangeth by a Thread. And wherefore? For God even spite of their teeth enforceth them to perceive the perils that beset them: they see it is good reason, that all manner of creatures should become their enemies, by reason §40whereof they start when they hear but the falling of a leaf, and they be afraid when no body pursueth them, as it is said in an other place of the Proverbs.1 Thus doeth God open the eyes of them that are puffed up with pride, and are drunken with the delights of this world, and specially which have hardened themselves in stubbornness against him. He openeth their eyes, that they may know how their life is less than nothing, and that all these §50shadows, leasings, and vain hopes whereupon men are wont to rest, are but baits to beguile them. See here I pray you whereunto they come which do scorn God and his word, and are wholly given to this world, reposing their trust on earthly means and on the creatures▪ Needs they must at the last be caught with such fear as will teach them double and treble to understand their own state.
Nowe when it is saide that wee carrie our life in our handes, it is to shewe, that where as life shoulde beare the man, the man beareth the life: that is to say, the life is left vp to the hazarde of all misfortune. Euen so it is §30with al men naturally, and as we haue alreadie saide, the verie faithfull are not free from it, and that doe wee see by example in Iob, and Dauid. Notwithstanding, the despisers of God are they that feele most howe their life hangeth by a Threede. And wherefore? For God euen spite of their teeth inforceth them to perceiue the perils that beset them: they see it is good reason, that all manner of creatures shoulde become their enemies, by reason