A17698:4636
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 hereupon Moses addeth, that the Jews should march over their enemies heads, or over all their gallantness (for there is no more but the word Top, or highest part), and that their enemies shall flatter them with leasing [or lying]: for this word Lye in holy scripture, is taken for to set a good face or countenance upon a matter, and to play the hypocrite by force, as when it is said in the eighteenth Psalm (where the great victories are spoken of, which God would give unto David) Thine enemies shall lye unto thee. 1Now then, the sum is this, that God will be the saviour of his people. Insomuch that although they have many enemies, yet shall they not be able to match them, but shall be driven in the end to confess themselves to be the weaker. And that although their so doing be but counterfeit; yet notwithstanding, Gods power shall show it self therein. And now proceeding with this lesson, let us learn first to know that we be utterly naked, and that we want all things: & when we know that, let us humble ourselves so as there may not be one drop of haughtiness or foolish self-weening in us. And therewithal let us understand, that God will not suffer us to quail in any case. For if we have neither sword nor shield, he will serve our turn for both of them. If we be in danger of undoing, he is our preserver. If we be plunged here in never so many miseries with the rest of all mankind; we shall be recovered again by his grace, because he hath chosen us for his people. That is the point whereon we must rest.
Now heereupon Moses addeth, that the Iewes should march ouer their enemies heades, or ouer all their gallantnesse (for there is no more but the word Top, or hyghest part), and that their enemies shall flatter them with leazing [or lying]: for this worde Lye in holy scripture, is taken for to set a good face or countenaunce vpon a matter, and to play the hypocrite by force, as when it is said in the eighteenth Psalme (where the great victories are spoken of, which God would giue vnto Dauid) Thine enemies shall lye vnto thee. 1Nowe then, the summe is this, that God will be the sauiour of his people. Insomuch that although they haue many enemies, yet shall they not bee able to match them, but shall be driuen in the ende to confesse themselues to bee the weaker. And that although their so dooing be but counterfaite; yet notwithstanding, Gods power shall shewe it selfe therein. And now proceeding with this lesson, let vs learne first to knowe that wee be vtterly naked, and that wee want all thinges: & when we knowe that, let vs humble ourselues so as there may not be one droppe of hautinesse or foolish selfeweening in vs. And therewithall let vs vnderstande, that God will not suffer vs to quaile in any case. For if we haue neither sword nor shielde, he will serue our turne for both of them. If we be in daunger of vndooing, hee is our preseruer. If we be plundged heere in neuer so many miseries with the rest of all mankinde; we shalbe recouered again by his grace, because he hath chosen vs for his people. That is the point whereon we must rest.