A17698:4042
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 thereupon he saith, That they should not be dismayed nor afraid, but that they should be courageous and behave themselves manfully. Whereupon is all this exhortation grounded? Upon the §40promise which he made, namely, The Lord thy God will go before thee. We must therefore mark that men shall never take good courage, what soever is said unto them, unless they be assured of the help of God, and that he will be on their side, and give good success to all their enterprises. It is certain that men be too bold to do things, and to attempt more than is lawful for them: but they do ever go about it carelessly, and without discretion. And as a mad §50bedlam, notwithstanding that he be brought low with his long sickness & feel not his own weakness: yet is he much stronger and rageth in such wise, as he cannot be ruled, and worketh more trouble than if he were in perfect health: even so is it with men when they have no promise of God, but be chafed in their own rashness and presumption. They dare do wonders: but in respect to do well, we never take courage therein, unless we be assured of the will of God: and §60to be short, we can never build but upon his promises. We must therefore remember that Moses, before he exhorteth the people to be valiant & to behave themselves stoutly, said unto them, Thy God will be with thee, fear them not. And why so? For thou art sure that thou canst not quail, because thy God governeth thee. Howbeit, forasmuch as we do not at the first take sure hold of the promises of God, neither are they so certainly settled in our hearts, as is to be wished; Moses doth also add a confirmation, and saith: Nay, the Lord thy God will not leave thee, neither shalt thou ever be forsaken of him. It was enough that he had said afore▪ Thy God will go before thee, he will give thee victory against all thine enemies; thou hast already had experience of his help: It shall be always the same: this may seem to have been enough. But yet that which Moses addeth unto it is not superfluous, because of the unbelief of men: who notwithstanding that God do assure them, do yet still doubt and be wavering, unless they have a new confirmation. Whereby we perceive that it is no light matter to give credit to the promises of God, and to hold us to them, as many do suppose, but that is because they never tried it.