A17698:4619
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 after this, it is said, That he will drive away the enemy before us, 1saying, Destroy them. We have seen heretofore how Gods Church is never without enemies,2 because Satan who is the prince of this world, doth move the wicked §50continually to vex the children of God. If the devil were quite and clean done away, then truly we might have peace in the world. But forasmuch as he hath the greatest multitude of men in his hand, who are froward by kind, & we know that his whole seeking is to destroy us: therefore we must prepare ourselves to have war as long as we be in the world. The condition is hard, but yet must we bear it patiently, seeing that our Lord hath so ordained, and §60therefore seeing he will try our faith and obedience by stirring up enemies unto us; let us yield our necks unto him. But yet moreover we have need to be succoured at his hand, yea and to have him fight for us: or otherwise what would become of us? In that therefore ought we to have full trust. Wherefore let us be contented, and although we must needs be troubled, and sustain many brunts, and hue in continual care forasmuch as our enemies cease not to prepare new battles against us: yet notwithstanding let us stay our selves upon this, that our Lord will not leave us in our need. The meaning then of Moses is,3 that God will so stretch out his arm, that all our enemies shall be put to flight; insomuch that although they come with never so great violence against us, so as it may seem that they should bear down all things afore them, yea and overthrow all things with their breath: yet notwithstanding God will step afore them,4 as in respect whereof he is hereafter termed our shield. To be short we see after what manner Gods arms are here below. They be not idle; but they be occupied in driving our enemies away. And we be warned not to vex ourselves out of measure, when God exerciseth us with store of temptations: but to stand always upon this ground (as I said,) that our Lord will fight for us, and that by resting upon him, we shall get the upper hand.