Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now then, let us bear this warning well in mind, and every of us examine himself; and when we have once understood the things that have bin told §40us, and are necessary to our salvation: let us not imagine our selves to have a perfect and right faith as is requisite, unless we be so constant and fully resolved in the things that our Lord hath showed us, that we abide by it and follow our course still, whatsoever come of it. For whosoever fleeteth or starteth aside at every matter, showeth that he never knew Jesus Christ as he ought to do. And therefore Saint Paul in another place useth two similitudes to show of §50what force Gods word ought to be with us, to hold us fast unto him in his obedience. He saith that we must be throughly grounded and rooted. For many have a kind of faith: but that is but in outward show and appearance: as for inwardly it hath no lively nor deep root. For if a man have but a fair branch covered with flowers, to what purpose is that? One blast of wind will deface it. But if a tree be well planted, the root of it will hold it fast in the §60middest of all storms. Even so must we be rooted in our Lord Jesus Christ, and we must be throughly well grounded upon him, so as men may perceive not only that we have knowledge, but also that our hearts do yield record of our plain dealing. And mark here the cause why so many men are so greatly hindered, and endeavour no further but to purchase themselves credit among men. When they come to a Sermon where the Gospel is preached, for the most part they think they have well profited, when they can skill to talk of it: and there are very few that have a care to be so grounded in it, as to lay it up in their hearts, that GOD may be witness of it: there are very few that endeavour to attain to that steadiness. And therefore doth God abhor that foolish vain gloriousness, wherethrough men seek but only to win themselves estimation, by setting a fair face and countenance upon the matter.

Now thē, let vs beare this warning wel in mind, and euery of vs examine himselfe; and when we haue once vnderstoode ye things yt haue bin told §40vs, and are necessary to our saluation: let vs not imagine our selues to haue a perfect and right faith as is requisite, vnlesse wee bee so constant and fully resolued in the thinges that our Lorde hath shewed vs, that we abide by it and followe our course still, whatsoeuer come of it. For whosoeuer fleeteth or starteth aside at euery matter, sheweth that hee neuer knewe Iesus Christ as hee ought to doe. And therefore Saint Paul in another place vseth two similitudes to shewe of