A17698:4623
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.
our Lord will be nothing to us, neither can we say that it is he, in whom we put our whole trust. If we seek the inferior means, and that as soon as they fail us, by & by our hearts quail, then is there nothing but hypocrisy in us, and we shall ever be• wray our own distrust. Ye see then how the true trial of our faith, is to hope in such sort for succour from our God, that although all the world fail us, and we see nothing about us that may give us courage; yet we assure ourselves of safeguard [at his hand]. That is the thing which this text importeth.
our Lorde will bee nothing to vs, neither can we say that it is he, in whom we put our whole trust. If we seeke the inferiour meanes, and yt as soone as they fayle vs, by & by our hearts quaile, then is there nothing but hypocrisie in vs, and we shall euer be• wray our owne distrust. Ye see then howe the true tryall of our fayth, is to hope in such sort for succour from our God, that although all the worlde fayle vs, and we see nothing about vs that may giue vs corage; yet we assure ourselues of safegarde [at his hande]. That is the thing which this text importeth.
When we have digested this lesson, we shall fare much the better by it all the time of our life. For on the one side we shall be drawn away from the vain imaginations which deceive us. As soon as we have any thing here beneath that makes for us, or if we be any thing aforehand: we do as it were despise God, that is to say, we think not that we have any more need of him. Will they that have their Garners and cellars well stored, call upon God to be fed at his hand? In deed they will say their Paternoster as other men do: but yet there is nothing but filth in them, they bear themselves in hand that they be sufficiently provided for, so as they come not to God for any need. In like case is it with them which are healthy and strong; they consider not the brittleness of their life. To be short, so long as things fall out to our mind and desire in this world, we be so dazzled with it that we resort not unto God, ne know what it is to be guided and governed by him. And therefore let us exercise ourselves in this lesson,