Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And let us mark herewithall, that sith our Lord vouchsafed to keep the covenant which he sware to the holy Patriarchs: we need not to doubt but that he will keep and §60perform the promise at this day, whereby he hath willingly bound himself unto us. The word Swear is set down, because God considering mens frailty, thinks it not enough to make them a single promise, as I have told you heretofore: but also hath vouchsafed to swear, that they might have the better warrant to rest upon him and upon his sayings. In deed God ought to be heard and obeyed, though he give but his bare word: but yet he condescendeth to our infirmity, and so hath he vouchsafed to do even from the beginning, so as he hath not thought it enough to give us his bare word, but he hath also warranted it with a solemn oath. Wherefore, if in these days there rise any doubt concerning our salvation, yea, or but even concerning this transitory life: if we doubt what shall become of us: let us have an eye to his promises, assuring our selves that they be warranted to the uttermost, to the intent we should have no cause to cast any doubt of them at all. Behold our God sweareth, and yet we charge him with unfaithfulness: yea, and we accuse him, not only of untruth, but also treachery, yea, and even of perjury: and what a devilish blasphemy is that? So then, let us learn to stick to the promises that are so well warranted unto us, unless we will be blamed for blaspheming God after that fashion.

And let vs marke herewithall, that sith our Lorde vouchsafed to keepe the couenaunt which hee sware to the holy Patriarches: wee neede not to dout but that hee will keepe and §60perfourme the promise at this day, whereby he hath willingly bounde himselfe vnto vs. The worde Sweare is set downe, because God considering mennes frailtie, thinkes it not ynough to make them a single promise, as I haue tolde you heretofore: but also hath vouchsafed to sweare, that they might haue the better warrant to rest vppon him and vppon his sayinges. In deede God ought to bee heard and obeyed, though hee giue but his bare worde: but yet he condescendeth to our infirmitie, and so hath hee vouchsafed to doe euen from the beginning, so as hee hath not thought it ynough to giue vs his bare worde, but hee hath also warranted it with a solemne othe. Wherefore, if in these dayes there rise any dout concerning our saluation, yea, or but euen concerning this transitorie life: if wee dout what shall become of vs: let vs haue an eye to his promises, assuring our selues that they bee warranted to the vttermost, to the intent wee shoulde haue no cause to cast any dout of them at all. Beholde our God sweareth, and yet wee charge him with vnfaithfulnesse: yea, and wee accuse him, not onely of vntrueth, but also trecherie, yea, and euen of periurie: and what a diuelish blasphemie is that? So then, let vs learne to sticke to the promises that are so well warranted vnto vs, vnlesse wee will bee blamed for blaspheming God after that fashion.