A17698:4613
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 by the way we have to note, that where as the holy Ghost taketh so great pains to persuade us what manner of one God is, and that his power is infinite: it is because we be always doubtful and wavering, so as there is no staidness in us. In so much that although we have heard that God governeth all things, and that he hath sovereign dominion; and although men assure us thereof, and it be told us never so often times; yet cease we not to have still some fancies or others, which darken our understanding; we enter into I wot not what speculations, and therewithal we be tossed and turmoiled with a great sort of troubles that come upon us: And being so overwrought by our own fantastical imaginations, we know what it is for us to trust in God, and to lean unto his power. Let us understand (I say) that in this text, the holy Ghost meant to put us in mind of the beastliness that is in us, to the end to waken us, that we may learn to magnify the glory of our God, better than we have done, specially considering that all the things which are wont to make us afraid, are nothing in respect of him. For he is able to subdue both Satan & the world, and whatsoever else is against our salvation: yea, even all those things must yield themselves to his service whensoever he listeth.
And by the way we haue to note, that where as the holy Ghost taketh so greate paynes to perswade vs what manner of one God is, and that his power is infinite: it is because wee bee alwayes doubtfull and wauering, so as there is no stayednesse in vs. In so much that although wee haue heard that God gouerneth all things, and that hee hath soueraigne dominion; and although men assure vs thereof, and it be tolde vs neuer so often times; yet ceasse wee not to haue still some fancies or others, which darken our vnderstanding; wee enter into I wote not what speculations, and therewithall wee bee tossed and turmoyled with a great sorte of troubles that come vppon vs: And beeing so ouerraught by our owne fantastical imaginations, wee knowe what it is for vs to trust in God, and to leane vnto his power. Let vs vnderstande (I saye) that in this text, the holy Ghost meant to put vs in mynde of the beastlinesse that is in vs, to the ende to waken vs, that wee may learne to magnifie the glorie of our God, better than we haue done, specially considering that all the things which are wont to make vs afrayde, are nothing in respect of him. For he is able to subdue both Satan & the worlde, and whatsoeuer else is against our saluation: yea, euen all those things must yeld themselues to his seruice whensoeuer he listeth.