Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now let us mark first of all, that to make the Jews understand the meaning of Moses, or rather of the holy ghost: it behoved them to be warned to set their former faults before their eyes, that they might not be so fond as to presume any thing at all upon their own worthiness, or upon their own power: but to abase themselves utterly, acknowledging that GOD found not any thing in them why he should chose them, but that all came of his own free §20goodness. Now if Moses were fain to use such exhortation to the Jews: let us understand that we also have as much need of it nowadays as they. The end therefore which we must begin at, is this: that we must cast down ourselves, and not be lifted up with any presumption, nor vaunt our selves through any foolish overweening: but acknowledge our selves to be void of all deserving, and that there is not any grace or righteousness in us, for the which we might obtain §30love at Gods hand. And therefore must he needs prevent us with his free goodness. Mark that for a special point. But how may men abase themselves after that fashion? We will never do it of our own accord. In deed if every of us look well upon himself, it must needs be that we be as it were bewitched, if we be not induced to mislike of our selves, and to be ashamed and utterly at our wits ends. For what is man? Let him search throughly §40what is in him, both in body and in soul: and surely we shall find even from the most to the least of us, that there is nothing in us but utter shame and confusion, as I said afore. Nevertheless, every of us abuseth himself through this folly, so as we bear our selves on hand that our vices are virtues. And although our life be as lewd as may be, and our sins most outrageous and horrible: Yet to our own seeming there is nothing in us but perfect righteousness §50and soundness. Ye see then that men beguile themselves. And therefore it is requisite that we should be held short, and have our faults laid afore us, not only some one or two faults, but also all the faults of our whole life: so as we may know that we have offended our GOD so grievously, that it behoveth us to be overwhelmed with shame and reproach:

Now let vs marke first of all, that to make the Iewes vnderstand the meaning of Moses, or rather of the holy ghost: it behoued them to bee warned to set their former faultes before their eyes, that they might not bee so fond as to presume any thing at all vppon their owne worthynesse, or vppon their owne power: but to abase themselues vtterly, acknowledging that GOD found not any thing in them why hee shoulde chose them, but that all came of his owne free