A17698:4312
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 Moses addeth consequently, Were it possible for one man to chase a thousand, or that two should put ⟨p. 1150⟩ten thousand to flight, unless the Lord had enclosed them, and that their mighty one did hold them captive? Here he showeth by effect, that God had sufficiently warned his people, if they had but one spark of reason in them. And thereupon it is to be concluded, that there was no more excuse of ignorance for that people, but that they were convicted overmuch, to have hardened their hearts even of wilful malice, & so to have withstood God, & to have letted him that he should not bring them back into the §10right way. That was the meaning of Moses. Now let us mark, that when God vouchsafed to show his favour towards the people of Israel: then was his promise performed, that is to wit, that as soon as the people did but (as ye would say) remove them selves, by & by their enemies were overcome. We know what overthrows they gave, and by what means the same came to pass. For we hear how it is said by the Prophet Isaiah,1 that whensoever God listeth to succour his people, & to utter his §20power in their defence: it shall fall out with them as it did in the voyage against Midian:2 for at that time Gideon gate not the victory by mans policy, neither by valiancy, or strength of hand: but it was the sword of God & of Gideon that did the deed. And yet it was so done, as it might seem to be a play of young children. But our Lord saith that he will maintain his people after that fashion. Again in other texts he declareth that his saving of his people shall be neither by sword §30nor by spear,3 but by his own only hand. Ye see then how God hath showed himself invincible, as oft as he hath listed to defend his people. Contrariwise a very shadow was enough to dismay those wretched people and to put them out of heart, so as they were overthrown & brought in bondage of cruel tyrants. After what manner? A man cannot tell how. If a man look upon the overcoming of them, it is a wonderful and uncredible thing to the sight of the world, that