A17698:421
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.
First and foremost let us look that God promise. If we were cumbered with any perplexity or anguish, and knew not whether God would leave us in the mire or no: we might well be afraid: and if we would not be afraid, we should be too blockish. But when God saith unto us, my children, it is true that you be weak, you can do nothing of your selves, and you have too strong an enemy, by means whereof ye could by no means withstand him if ye were not helped and upheld by me: but I tell you, your temptations shall not be greater than you shall be able to bear,1 I know what your power is, I will give you strength and courage at your need, I will mitigate the temptations that might overthrow you, and although the world and the devil be stark mad against you, yet will I bridle them, so that although you be roughly assailed, yet shall you overcome them: trust thereunto. Hath God spoken as this man telleth us? let us never doubt of it. Not that we can be utterly exempted from all fear, so long as we live in this world: Insomuch that although we have Gods promises, whereby we be assured that he will never leave us, but that we shall cuer feel eis help at our need: yet must we not think that we shall be utterly void of care and doubt, or that we should not beware of the dangers that environ us round about. No, but yet must not this fear so overawe us, as we should not take hart to call upon God, and to rest upon him, and to go on still forward. Therefore when as it is said, I will help thee, be not afraid: our Lord will have us to fight in such wise against all fear, as it may not so overmaster us, as to make us give over, and turn head, and start away, so as we should be utterly dismayed: but rather that in standing in awe, we should also hope & take courage to go forward, forasmuch as we have God on our fide. Thus yee see what is to be remembered here.
First and formost let vs looke that God promise. If wee were combred with any perplexitie or anguishe, and knewe not whether God would leaue vs in the mire or no: wee might well bee afraide: and if wee would not be afraide, wee should be too blockish. But when God sayth vnto vs, my children, it is true that you be weake, you can doe nothing of your selues, and you haue too strong an enemie, by meanes whereof yee coulde by no meanes withstand him if yee were not helped and vpheld by me: but I tell you, your temptations shall not bee greater than you shall be able to beare,1