Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Also when there is any friendship between man and man; it must always be referred to this mark, that GOD have still the chief preeminence, and that we be joined together in him. And cursed be all alliance that separateth us from our maker, in whom consisteth all our life, welfare, and joy. Then if a husband love his wife, without regard of GOD, he is worthy to be thrust out among the brute beasts. In like case is the father, which aimeth not at the same mark in loving of his children. If we be so linked together, and have so plighted our faith and troth one to an other, as we may seem after a forte to have as ye would say but one soul in two bodies, and in the mean while GOD be let alone unthought on: do ye not see that it is too shameful a beastliness? Then is it not without cause that GOD hath told us expressly that his honour is to be preferred before all worldly or natural considerations. And let us mark well the words that are set down here; for they be of great weight.

Also when there is any friendshippe betweene man and man; it must alwayes bee referred to this marke, that GOD haue still the cheife preheminence, and that wee be ioyned together in him. And cursed be al alyaunce that separateth vs from our maker, in whome consisteth all our life, welfare, and ioye. Then if a husbande loue his wife, without regarde of GOD, hee is woorthie to bee thrust out amonge the brute beastes. In like case is the father, which aimeth not at the same marke in louing of his children. If wee be so linked together, and haue so plighted our faith and trothe one to an other, as wee may seeme after a forte to haue as ye would say but one soule in two bodies, and in the mean while GOD be lette alone vnthought on: doe yee not see that it is too shamefull a beastlinesse? Then is it not without cause that GOD hath tolde vs expresly that his honour is to bee preferred before al worldely or naturall considerations. And lette vs marke well the wordes that are sette downe heere; for they bee of great weight.

Moses could have said singly, If thy brother, thy wife, thy son, or some friend of thine inde• thee, and go about to allure thee to naughtiness; but he addeth (which is of much more vehemency) If thy brother the son of thy mother, which lay in the same belly that thou thy self diddest. And to what end is this done of GOD, but to search the bottom of our affections, by entering even unto our bowels, as if he should say, I will see whether ye love me better than ye do these carcasses? For what is thy brother? He is but a mortal creature and I will see whether thou set more store by him than by me. Nay (say we) but he and I lay both in one belly. That is true, (saith GOD:) but is it not meet that I should always have the upper hand and highest preeminence? The same case is it when he sayeth, thine own son, thine own daughter, thy wife that sleepeth in thy bosom. He could have said singly; thy wife: but he sayeth, No, thou must forget and quite and clean shake off all the love which thou bearest to thy wife, if she go about to pluck thee away from me.