A17698:4649
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.
Moreover, as touching the text which I alleged out of S. Jude, let us mark that in all ages it hath bin Satan's policy, to face men with the things that might corrupt them, or draw them to idolatry: like as the Fowler or Birdcatcher ⟨p. 1239⟩hath his snares and nets always set; so hath Satan his sleights to beguile us. And he knoweth that he hath won the goal of us; when he can once turn us away from the pureness of Gods service, and train us to some superstition: for then run we headlong into wickedness, and he carrieth us whither he listeth. That is the cause why he taketh so much pains in this behalf, and we see it as in respect of the body of Moses; yea, we see it by experience §10the which is used too much. And herewithall let us mark well how S. Jude sayeth, that Michael the Archangel withstood him. Ye see here how there is a strife between the Angels of God and the devils, the Angels fighting to maintain us continually in the pureness which God requireth, that is to say, that we should worship him alone, and not put our trust in any creatures. That is the desire of the Angels. On the other side, the devil being enemy §20to our salvation would fain that the majesty of God were quite defaced. And when he cannot do that, he laboureth to darken it, practising continually to cast fools babbles before our eyes, that we might have toys to occupy our heads withal here below, & neither go nor once look unto God. And here we be put in mind, first what a care God hath of our salvation, in that it is his will that the Angels shall fight to draw us out of all the temptations of Satan.§30 Which thing ought to provoke us to be of the better courage, sith we see we have such helps. Now then, if we be weak as of our selves, and cannot put from us the temptations of Satan when we be assailed with them; let us trust that God will not fail us, but that he will employ even his Angels, who be champions valiant enough to resist all Satan's attempts, & whatsoever else he can practise against us. Here ye see upon what trust we ought to stand to our tackling,§40 when Satan assaileth us & laboureth to win us. True it is that we should evermore be overthrown & overwhelmed out of hand, if God succoured us not. But seeing we have the Angels of heaven to relive us, and God armeth them with his own invincible power to the intent we should never fail;