A17698:419
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.
Furthermore let us bear in mind that which hath bin said afore, namely,1 that the chief war which we have, is against our spiritual enemies. Therefore whensoever Satan assaileth §30us, and practiseth all the mischief that he can against us: let us understand that GOD is minded to exercise us: but yet shall we have wherewith to bear out the brunt, forasmuch as we shall be strengthened by the power of the holy Ghost. And for the bringing thereof to pass, let us mark how it is added here, that God saith unto Moses, Be not afraid: for I have delivered Og king of Bashan into thy hand: therefore shalt thou do to him as thou diddest unto Sehon the §40king of the Amorites. Ye see then that here is a promise given, to the end that the people should rest upon it, and not doubt any more of the victory, inasmuch as God telleth them that he will fight for them. And it behoveth us to mark well this text, because that if we be destitute of Gods promises: though we protest never so much that we trust in him: it is but a vain and fond imagination. And it is not in men to promise themselves any thing. For by §50what right or title may we hold God bound unto us, so as we may say, God shall help us, we shall not fail to be succoured at his hand? It would be to fond an overstatelynes, if men should forge hopes of their own head after that sort. Nay we must wait quietly that God show us his will, and when we once have the word of his mouth, then may we stand upon it. Let us mark then that there is an inseparable bond, between Gods promises and the trust that we §60have in him.2 The world doth in deed use the words Faith, and Trust: Howbeit unrightly. For men know the contrary to that which they protest, because every man conceiveth what he listeth in his fancy, and considereth not what is the will of God. Therefore it behoveth us to come back to the order that Moses showeth us here: which is, that we attempt not any thing before God have first spoken it. For else, our meaning is but to transfigure him after our own pleasure, and look as every man inventeth follies in his own head: so would he by and by have God at his commandment, to make him perform the things that he himself hath conceived. And what a dealing were that? What majesty more would there be in our God? Again we see our lusts are so outrageous, as is horrible: