Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now although this was spoken to the children of Israel, I pray you doeth it not fitly agree unto us? Ought not we to consider well to whom we be beholden for this change, that God hath vouchsafed to give his children (as ye would say) a quiet nest here, so as they which were oppressed and overlaid with bondage and tyranny, are now at full liberty, and enjoy the things which they never hoped nor looked for? Seeing then that our Lord showeth himself so gracious, are we on our side to be excused, if we fear him not? Though all the world might be acquit, and all men scape Gods hand for misknowing him: yet deserve we to be condemned in that behalf. But ought not the remembrance of all the miseries whereout we be scaped, to be so printed in our hearts as we might live continually in awe of our God? And although we have prosperity as now, let it no• puff us up, nor minister occasion to us to stand too much in our own conceits. And generally, ought not all Citizens, Burgesses, yea and strangers of Geneva to bethink themselves thus? It is not long ago since we were in such bondage and tyranny in this City, as there was no likelihood that ever we should have scaped them. Nay rather we seemed to have been as a people forlorn and past hope of recovery: and yet hath our GOD looked mercifully upon our miseries, and provided remedy for them, and that after such sort as men would never have thought, and as surmounted our desire. The Citizens and Burgesses that have been privy to the calamities and miseries from the which GOD hath delivered them, have they not good cause to magnify such goodness and mercy? And as for the strangers whom God hath conveyed hither as it weer into his fold, ought they not to consider thus with themselves? Alas, we were as in the gulf of hell in the horrible desolation of the popedom, and God hath pitied us, insomuch that he hath reached us his hand to take us thence and to bring us hither into his Church, that we might worship him with one common accord.

Now although this was spoken to the children of Israell, I pray you doeth it not fitly agree vnto vs? Ought not wee to consider well to whom wee bee beholden for this chaunge, that God hath vouchsafed to giue his children (as ye would say) a quiet nest heere, so as they which were oppressed and ouerlayd with bondage and tyrannie, are nowe at full libertie, and inioye the thinges which they neuer hoped nor looked for? Seeing then that our Lord sheweth himselfe so gratious, are we on our side to bee excused, if wee feare him not? Though all the world might bee acquit, and all men scape Gods hande for misknowing him: yet deserue we to be condemned in that behalfe. But ought not the remembraunce of all the miseries whereout wee bee scaped, to be so printed in our heartes as wee might liue continually in awe of our God? And although we haue prosperitie as nowe, let it no puffe vs vp, nor minister occasion to vs to stand too much in our owne conceites. And generally, ought not all Citizens, Burgesses, yea and straungers of Geneua to bethinke themselues thus? It is not long agoe since wee were in suche bondage and tyrannie in this Citie, as there was no likelyhood that euer wee shoulde haue scaped them. Nay rather wee seemed to haue beene as a people forlorne and past hope of recouerie: and yet hath our GOD looked mercifully vppon our miseries, and prouided remedy for them, and that after suche sorte as men woulde neuer haue thought, and as surmounted our desire. The Citizens and Burgesses that haue beene priuie to the calamities and miseries from the which GOD hath deliuered them, haue they not good cause to magnifie suche goodnesse and mercie? And as for the straungers whome God hath conueied hither as it weere into his folde, ought they not to consider thus with themselues? Alas, wee were as in the gulfe of hell in the horrible desolation of the popedome, and God hath pytied vs, insomuch that hee hath reached vs his hande to take vs thence and to bring vs hither into his Churche, that wee myght worship him with one common accorde.