A17698:455
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.
Howbeit forasmuch as the encumbrances were great: he saith expressly to the people, Be ye not afraid: and unto Joshua, Fear not. Wherein he showeth that we must not measure Gods grace by our own understanding. For when things shall seem to us unpossible: God will find means to overcome all things that are against him to the worldward, so as they shall not hinder him to bring all his matters to perfection, and to execute his determination.
Howbeit forasmuch as the incomberances were greate: hee saith expresly to the people, Be ye not afraid: and vnto Iosua, Feare not. Wherin hee sheweth that wee must not measure Gods grace by our owne vnderstanding. For when thinges shall seeme to vs vnpossible: God will finde meanes to ouercome all thinges that are against him to the worldward, so as they shal not hinder him to bring al his matters to perfection, and to execute his determination.
But to the intent to gather the sum of the doctrine that is contained in this text: let us mark how it is not without cause, that Moses directeth his speech to Joshua. For albeit that the doctrine belong to the whole body of the people▪ yet was it meet that Joshua should be encouraged, as head and Captain of the people: For it may hap that a people shall be well disposed: and yet mar all for want of good guiding, accordingly as we see how all things §60go to havoc and to wrack, when the heads and governors are not such as they ought to be, yea even although there appear good disposition in the people: insomuch that when things go amiss, a man shall hear sighings and groanings, and every body seeks to go the right way, so that if it lay in private mens powers to remedy disorders and vices, they would surely do what they could. Two or three unthrifts are enough to trouble a whole common weal when they once set upon it and the devil drives them forward, if the governors set not stay in the matter. And therefore it is not for naught that Moses directeth his speech precisely to Joshua. For (as I said) it importeth so much the more, that such as are in public authority should be well disposed, that they may the better guide the whole body. But forasmuch as it shall be spoken of yet more at large hereafter: I do but touch the thing briefly, to have a short conclusion of this text.