Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)

By all these examples of holy scripture, we may know, that as we forsake God: so shall he ever forsake us.¹ And what miserable state doth consequently and necessarily follow thereupon, a man may easily consider, by the terrible threatenings of God. And although, he consider not all the said misery, to the uttermost, being so great, that it passeth any mans capacity, in this life sufficiently to consider the same: yet he shall soon perceive so much thereof, that if his hart be not more then stony, or harder then the Adamant, he shall fear, tremble and quake, to call the same to his remembrance.

By all these examples of holy scripture, we maye knowe, that as we forsake God: so shall he euer forsake vs.¹ And what miserable state doth cōsequently and necessariely folow therupon, a man maye easely consider, by the terrible threatenynges of God. And although, he considre not al the sayde miserie, to the vttermost, beyng so great, that it passeth any mans capacitie, in this lyfe sufficiētly to cōsydre thesame: yet he shal soone perceyue somuch therof, that if his hart be not more then stony, or harder then the Adamant, he shall feare, tremble and quake, to call thesame to hys remembraunce.

1. 1The turning of God from man.The turnyng of God from man.

First the displeasure of God towards us, is commonly expressed in the scripture, by these two things: by showing his fearful countenance upon us, and by turning his face, or hiding it from us. By showing his dreadful countenance, is signified his great wrath, but by turning his face or hiding thereof, is many times more signified, that is to say: that he clearly forsaketh us, & giveth us over. The which significations be taken of the properties of mens manners: For men towards them, whom they favour, commonly bear, a good, a cheerful, and a loving countenance: so that by the face or countenance of a man, it doth commonly appear, what will or mind he beareth towards other. So, when God doeth show his dreadful countenance towards us; that is to say, doeth send dreadful plagues, of sword, famine, or pestilence upon us, it appeareth; that he is greatly wroth with us. But when he withdraweth from us his word, the right doctrine of Christ, his gracious assistance and aid, (which is ever joined to his word) and leaveth us to our own wit, our own will and strength: he declareth then, that he beginneth to forsake us. For where as God hath showed to all them, that truly believe his Gospel, his face of mercy in Jesus christ, which doeth so lighten their hearts, that they (if they behold it, as they ought to do) be transformed to his Image, be made partakers of the heavenly light, and of his holy spirit, and be fashioned to him, in all goodness, requisite to the children of God: so, if they after do neglect the same, if they be unthankful unto him, if they order not their lives,