A17698:4283
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 understand that GOD serveth his own purpose by them as by instruments, and that we must have recourse to him, and that if he were not provoked against us, we should be under his protection, and he would not give our §20enemies the bridle after that fashion. Let us assure our selves that when sickness cometh upon us, it is to be accounted as the hand of GOD, and that his sending of it, is to visit us, and to make us to turn again unto him. As much is to be thought of the rest. For it is not to be thought, that the creatures are led at all adventure, that GOD should not be served by them, and that they should not be at his disposition. It is for heathenish and §30faithless folks so to think. But in acknowledging that GOD is the maker of heaven and earth, we profess therewithal that all things are at his commandment, that all things are disposed by his appointment, and that nothing cometh to pass but by his justice. That then is the thing which we have to bear in mind in his text when Moses saith that God will arm the enemy without, and send fear within. Whereby he meaneth that their needeth §40no more but a shadow to fray us, accordingly as hath been declared in the eight and twentieth Chapter.1 If GOD list to stir up great troubles and storms against us, he will do it and it is mere that he should be the overruler of all. But when he intendeth to consume us: then must our life needs hang as upon a twined thread, so as at evening we shall sorrowfully say, Who will cause me to see to morrow morning? And (when night is gone)§50 we shall be still in the same grief of mind, we shall be as men besides themselves and much worse. The thing then which this word Fear or terror importeth, is that God will make men to be always as it were besides themselves when they will not yield to his corrections to come to amendment, so as they shall be wounded in their hearts, without his stirring up of any enemies, or his sending of any inconvenience unto them; and they shall not §60know why nor wherefore, but that their own shadow troubleth them and maketh them at their wits end. Therefore if we intend to enjoy the greatest and most desirable benefit in the world, that is to say, to live in peace and rest: let us learn that we must not provoke our God to make him our enemy.