Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Wherefore let us look well to ourselves; and seeing it is not lawful for us to attempt any thing beyond Gods will; but it behoveth us to know what he requireth of us, and to submit our selves wholly unto him: let us be gentle and meek minded to bear the yoke patiently which GOD layeth upon us, seeing it is neither hard nor grievous (as I said afore). And seeing that the idolaters do so follow their gear, and nothing can stay their §60trotting and gadding, but that they do as it were fly to the serving of their idols: Let us steppe forward also, sith we see that our Lord showeth us the way, yea and such a way as though it be very hard as in respect of our corruption, is nevertheless very plain and easy to us, in respect of the grace of his holy spirit.

Wherefore let vs looke well to ourselues; and seeing it is not lawefull for vs to attempt any thing beyonde Gods will; but it behoueth vs to knowe what he requireth of vs, and to submitte our selues wholely vnto him: lette vs be gentle and meeke minded to beare the yoke patiently which GOD layeth vppon vs, seeing it is neither harde nor greeuous (as I sayde afore). And seeing that the ydolaters doe so followe their geere, and nothing can stay their §60trotting and gadding, but that they doe as it were flye to the seruing of their ydolles: Lette vs steppe forewarde also, sith wee see that our Lorde sheweth vs the way, yea and such a way as though it be verie harde as in respect of our corruption, is neuerthelesse verie playne and easie to vs, in respect of the grace of his holy spirit.

Here is this moreover, that Moses sayeth not here, that the Jews shall destroy and break the idols in all places wheresoever they become: but that GOD commandeth them to do it in the land that is given them to inherit. Wherein we see that the holy Ghost commandeth not all the faithful in general to pull down and to break all idols in the world: but only where they themselves have authority. And it is a point well worth the noting. For if we be among idolaters, it lieth not in us to rid the Land from the superstitions that reign in it. What is to be done then? Every man must reform himself in his own heart, so as all idols may be thrust out from thence. When I see Gods service corrupted any where, I must forbear to haunt that place or to communicate in company with those idolaters. I must cut off all the wicked affections that are in my flesh, and I must show moreover that I am not minded to forsake my GOD, nor to falsify the faith that I have plighted unto him by defiling my self with the idolatries that are about me. Therefore every man must first and foremost reform his own heart, and secondly separate himself from all things that may defile him. And that is because GOD hath given us a charge of our own persons, and made us as it were keepers of his temples, to the intent that every of us should look narrowly to ourselves. That is a thing which it behoveth us to do when we be in the country of Idolaters. Besides this, every man must purge and cleanse his own house from all filthiness. So as if a man be a householder, he must look well about him that he hold well his children and servants in the fear of GOD and in the pureness of religion. For if a man suffer his house to be defiled, and all things there to go to havoc: he shall be sure to make account thereof to God. Not that a man can hold his wife and servants continually tied to his sleeve to turn them to the christian faith when he listeth: but my meaning is, that he must not suffer any superstition or idolatry. For why? Seeing that GOD hath given him sovereignty in his own house; it behoveth him to deal in such wise as GOD be honoured there, and as no filthiness be mingled with the pure religion, but that all be rid quite and clean away.