A17698:4039
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.
yet, let us look up higher and by faith behold how he is present to them which seek him, and that he hath his hand evermore stretched out to help them, so as his power shall be strong enough, albeit that he show them nothing visibly. That is the thing which we have §40to remember where Moses sayeth, The Lord thy God wil• go before thee. It is certain that as touching my self I shall not be there any more, but should you therefore be dismayed and fainthearted? What is God? Wot ye not that he hath all in his own power? What am I? I am but a shadow. Now God hath put a certain drop of his power in me, and you have perceived the experience thereof: and although the same have profited you, what is it in comparison of his helping of you with the whole fullness of his §50power? Now then, look that you measure not Gods power by a mortal man: neither be ye so gross headed and witless, as to say that you be discouraged because I am no more with you, and that ye be already vanquished: for that were a cursed blasphemy. But understand, that God is not diminished: when then creatures be perished, he is able to raise others: and without raising up of any at all, he is sufficient himself:§60 for he hath no need to borrow from any where else. Now then the very office and property of faith, is to rest us in God and to stay upon him, so as although all the world fail us, yet we assure our selves that God will work mightily enough, without being aided by any other party. Moreover, for the better confirming of the people in hope, Moses telleth them that they had seen already after what manner God had wrought in his peoples behalf. You have had (sayeth he) victory against Og the king of Bashan, and against Sehon the king of the Amorites, and you know that God did then fight for you. (For in deed the people had been at that time, as it were utterly forlorn, and were driven of force to confess that the victory came not of themselves, but that God through his grace did vanquish these two mighty kings.) Seeing therefore that GOD hath already showed himself a father towards you, fear not but that he will continue so hereafter. Thus should we be confirmed in hope, by our former experience & feeling of the favour and help of our GOD. When he hath once made us to taste his goodness; let us thereby be so much the more assured.