A17698:4598
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 in very deed the knife is continually upon our throat. And it is not for any man to flatter himself in this behalf, for then should we be too dull-witted. It standeth us in hand to consider our own dangers▪ that we may be quickened up to call upon GOD, and to flee unto him for refuge. Then if we look well to our state; we shall perceive that our life hangeth as at a thread, so as death threateneth us on all sides, and we have no power to withstand it. The only remedy whereof is this, that forasmuch as God hath promised to maintain the feeble and weak things, and that when in sight of the world, all things are like to slip away, ⟨p. 1226⟩yet nevertheless he will have his hand reached out, to bless such as are so base and despised, & to hold them under his tuition, that they may be in safety: we must rest wholly upon him, and learn to lean unto him, and bear all thing patiently through the power of that promise, & with our glorying in God not be ashamed to confess our weakness, to the intent that he may utter forth his power, and have it the better known, when the world shall see that there §10was nothing at all on our side, and therefore that we play not the vainglorious folk who would always conceal their own weakness although it be known. And what a fondness is it to be desirous to seem somewhat, when we have nothing in us? Is it not a fighting against nature? And yet in so doing we fight against God. For it is a darkening of his glory, when we will needs blear mens eyes, and bear them in hand that there is that in us which is not. Therefore §20let us learn to acknowledge our meanness with all humility, that we may provoke one another to resort unto our God, and that although we be but a small handful of people, and as it were utterly without strength of our selves; yet notwithstanding, we shall be defended from above, even when we be cast up to all perils here beneath.
yet in very deede the knyfe is continually vppon our throte. And it is not for any man to flatter himselfe in this behalfe, for then shoulde wee bee too dulwitted. It standeth vs in hand to consider our owne daungers▪ that wee may bee quickened vp to call vppon GOD, and to flee vnto him for refuge. Then if wee looke well to our state; wee shall perceiue that our lyfe hangeth as at a threede, so as death threateneth vs on all sydes, and wee haue no power to withstande it. The onely remedie whereof is this, that forasmuch as God hath promised to mayntaine the feeble and weake things, and that when in sight of the worlde, all thinges are like to slippe away,