Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And he saith purposely, Al the ways. For he intendeth §50not to make such a parting of stakes in this behalf, as men would that he should, so as they would fain reserve somewhat always to themselves. Here God saith contrariwise, either you must obey me throughout in all points, or else I renounce you. So then, are we desirous to make our life allowable to God? We must not be obedient unto him in part, but we must look that all our whole life be framed according to his commandments, so as we may say we have kept all §60ways. But here it might be demanded, whether it be possible for us to walk throughout in the way of the Lord. For on the contrary part, seeing that men do not the good which they fain would: it is much for us if we shall have endeavoured to come to the good way, & to go towards the end, though we be not come at it. S. Paul himself complaineth that he was not able to do as he would in the discharge of his duty towards god.¹ Here is no speaking of such perfection as is required by the Law: but we must only understand that God will have men to yield & give over themselves unto him, & enforce themselves to run thitherward though they attain not to the mark. Although then that we do as it were drag our legs after us in our going all our life long, and never come fully unto God: yet must we keep on to himward, and that not in part, but in all the things that are contained in the law. Truth it is that we cannot so discharge our selves, as there may be a full answerableness betwixt Gods word and our lives: but if we be desirous to submit our selves unto God, and to frame our selves thereafter, not in some one point but in all without exception, endeavouring the same to the uttermost of our power: it is as a keeping of all the ways of God. For he beareth with us, and taketh such willingness in good worth, when he seeth us go to it roundly, & that we be not double minded, nor desirous to reserve any piece of our own wills or to take leave to do them, but labour [and strive to the contrary] as much as in us lieth, according to the grace that is given us.

And he saith purposely, Al the wayes. For he intendeth §50not to make such a parting of stakes in this behalfe, as men woulde that he should, so as they would faine reserue somewhat alwayes to themselues. Here God saith contrariwise, either you must obey me throughout in all pointes, or else I renounce you. So then, are wee desirous to make our life alowable to God? Wee must not be obedient vnto him in part, but we must loke that all our whole life be framed according to his cō mandements, so as we may say wee haue kept all