Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Again when we see him utter such rigour towards others, as to us may seem excessive: therein let us acknowledge his goodness and mercy towards us: for he might do the like to us. Of what or of whom is it long that we perish not, as well as they upon whom God poureth out the extremity of his rigour? It is certain that our sins have well deserved that as much should befall us: but God beareth with us of his infinite goodness. Therefore let us stand in awe. For though God use goodness and patience towards us as now: yet hath not he forgotten our faults, except we our selves do bear them in mind. And therefore let us understand that God might justly destroy us, and thereupon let us call our selves home to him, and prevent the thing that is to be feared, that is to wit, lest he should stretch forth his arm to confound us. So then, the executions of Gods judgements ought to be as warnings unto us, to enter into the knowledge of our sins, that when we have given God thanks for bearing with us, we may learn to return home to him again.

Againe when we see him vtter such rigor towardes others, as to vs may seeme excessiue: therein let vs acknowledge his goodnesse and mercie towardes vs: for hee might doe the lyke to vs. Of what or of whom is it long that wee perish not, as well as they vpon whome God powreth out the extremitie of his rigor? It is certeine that our sinnes haue well deserued that as much should befall vs: but God beareth with vs of his infinite goodnesse. Therefore let vs stand in awe. For though God vse goodnesse and patience towardes vs as now: yet hath not he forgotten our faultes, except wee our selues doe beare them in minde. And therefore let vs vnderstnd yt God might iustly destroy vs, and thereupon let vs cal our selues home to him, and preuent the thing yt is to be feared, yt is to wit, leaft he should stetch forth his arme to cōfounde vs. So then, the executions of Gods iudgements ought to be as warninges vnto vs, to enter into the knowledge of our sinnes, yt when we haue giuen God thankes for bearing with vs, wee may learne to returne home to him againe.

But yet notwithstanding, when we have well considered all things: [we shall find that] it was not without cause that God commanded his people to root out all the folk that dwelt in the land of Canaan. For he had already born with them a long time, as hath bin declared. Shall we think it strange, that after God had tarried four hundred years for men that were despisers of his majesty, & given to all naughtiness: he should in the end have no more pity upon them, but will them to be utterly wiped out of the world? But such were all those nations. For although they were malicious and froward already in the time of Abraham, and it was apparent that the land was infected with their filthiness: yet did God avow, that their wickedness was not yet come to the full growth. And therefore he delayed his wrath, not for the space of half a