A17698:746
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 secondly if we see Gods Church scattered, so as we be few in number, and it seemeth that there is no certainty nor assurance for us, but all is like to go to havoc in the turning of a hand: Let it not dismay us. And why so? For God having once chosen Abraham did also multiply his seed, notwithstanding that he was a man stricken in years, drooping, and childless. So likewise now, although there be but a handful of us, and we be despised and without power or strength to maintain our selves: yet can God increase us, and having increased us he can preserve us. Wherefore let us learn to look wholly to his goodness, when the state of the Church lieth in hazard, and let us not be out of heart: ⟨p. 169⟩but although that to the worldwarde we see it cast down, and so diminished as it seemeth as good as nothing at all: yet let us not cease to be of good courage still, and to wait till God perform that which he hath done in all ages. For the manner of setting up of the Church in good state again, and of the preserving thereof, must be wonderful to the sight of men.
And secondly if wee see Gods Church scattered, so as wee be fewe in number, and it seemeth that there is no certaintie nor assurance for vs, but all is like to goe to hauock in ye turning of a hande: Let it not dismay vs. And why so? For God hauing once chosen Abraham did also multiplie his seede, notwithstanding that hee was a man stricken in yeares, drooping, and childlesse. So likewise nowe, although there be but a handfull of vs, and we be despised and without power or strength to maintaine our selues: yet can God increase vs, and hauing increased vs he can preserue vs. Wherefore let vs learne to looke wholly to his goodnes, when the state of the Church lieth in hazarde, and let vs not be out of heart: ⟨p. 169⟩but although that to the worldwarde wee see it cast downe, and so diminished as it seemeth as good as nothing at all: yet let vs not cease to be of good courage still, and to waite till God performe that which he hath done in all ages. For the manner of setting vp of the Church in good state againe, and of the preseruing thereof, must be wonderfull to the sight of men.