Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now at the first blush, it should seem that Saint Paul reasoneth amiss, and that the said allegation is impertinent. Well then, it is said that all such as transgress Gods Law are cursed: but yet it followeth not therefore that all mankind is accursed. For if a man keep the law and discharge his duty: in so doing he is exempted from the sentence of condemnation. Some then §40there are to be found that have performed the law: and therefore all are not accursed. Yes. But Saint Paul presupposeth, that the law is unpossible. And if he should not presuppose that: he had spoken as a witless and unreasonable man. Therefore we see that the Papists have taken a ground that is clean contrary to Gods spirit: and surely he besotteth them in such wise, as they know not the very Absey of the Christian faith and Religion. So §50then let us mark well, that when we treat of Gods law, we must not measure it by our ability, nor look what we can do: but we must look what we owe unto God. Yea but say they, not so: how shall we do then? For to their seeming all the world should be damned. It is true, and so is it meet that it should be: that is to wit, that we should all be damned, if we will not have salvation in Jesus Christ. For how shall we seek Gods grace,§60 unless we think we have need of it? Men will not beg by their good wills. So long as we think our selves to have any righteousness of our own, we will not pass to seek any else where than in our selves. Therefore it behooveth us to be utterly rid of it, and to feel Gods wrath and death lying heavy upon us: for without that, we will never vouchsafe to submit our selves to God to obtain mercy. But this deserveth to be laid forth more at large.

Nowe at the first blush, it shoulde seeme that Saint Paule reasoneth amisse, and that the sayde allegation is impertinent. Well then, it is sayde that all such as transgresse Gods Lawe are cursed: but yet it followeth not therefore that all mankinde is accursed. For if a man keepe the lawe and discharge his duetie: in so dooing hee is exempted from the sentence of condemnation. Some then §40there are to bee founde that haue perfourmed the lawe: and therefore all are not accursed. Yes. But Saint Paule presupposeth, that the lawe is vnpossible. And if he should not presuppose that: he had spoken as a witlesse and vnreasonable man. Therefore we see that the Papistes haue taken a grounde that is cleane contrarie to Gods spirit: and surely hee besotteth them in such wise, as they knowe not the verye Apsie of the Christian faith and Religion. So