A17698:4295
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.
And it is said expressly, That God feared the §40provocation of the enemy, least he should estrange himself, and say, My hand is high, and it is not the Lord that hath done this thing. By this word Provocation, he meaneth the pride that is in men, accordingly also as he doeth in the eight Psalm, where it is said that God is glorified by the mouths of sucklings,1 in which place express mention is made of the enemy and of the avenger, because the unbelievers are always so proud and presumptuous, that there is nothing §50with them but cruelty & thundering. So likewise in this text it is said that God feared to provoke the enemy, that is to wit, least the Infidels should proceed to such wickedness as to scoff at the Law and at the true Religion. God then prevented them. And we must not imagine that God was afraid of men: for he could well have provided for it by some other mean. Is it not he that hath made mens tongues? And how can they then stir to speak §60one word, if he listed to restrain them? Could they move to utter one syllable? It should seem then that the thing which Moses speaketh here is needless, namely that God should be afraid to provoke his enemies: for he could well have remedied the matter if he had would. I have told you oftentimes already, that God is spoken of after the manner of men. Therefore when God provideth for a thing by any worldly mean, and such as is common among us: it is not for that he is tied unto it, & cannot of his infinite power do otherwise: but because it pleaseth him so to do. Thus are we done to understand in few words, that when it pleaseth God to serve his own turn by the inferior means which he hath ordained in this world; it is not for that he cannot do what he listeth of himself and without any other help: but for that it is his will to keep that order. As for example. He could well sustain us without bread, wine, or water: and yet notwithstanding he useth those means. And why so? Even because it pleaseth him. If we be sick, he can well heal us without any medicine: and yet will he have us to use medicines. In the time of war he could well repress all our enemies without our stirring of any finger towards it; but yet hath he ordained other means.
And it is saide expressely, That God feared the