Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And he sayeth expressly, to the end that the wrath of God be not upon thee. Whereby he confirmeth the matter that • have touched already, which is that we must beware that we wrap not ourselves in other mens sins. For they that correct not evil doings when they may, and when their office requireth it; are guilty of it themselves. As for example, if a preacher wink at the vices that reign; surely he is a traitor and unfaithful: for he should keep good watch, and waken such as are in danger of undoing. Then if I bear with the evil wittingly or through negligence: I am the first that shall be condemned. Likewise if they that hold the sword of Justice, execute not the rigour which they ought to redress mens misbehaviours: surely the wrath of God is upon them continually, yea and upon the whole country, because no man is found, that complaineth of this, that the mischief was so borne withal. One good zealous man is enough to turn away the wrath of God; for he will enforce others that were negligent. But when no man begins the dance, but all men draw back, and every man says, What now? If all the rest put not to their hands, what can I alone do? Surely none of them all can exempt themselves from condemnation before God; when every one of them speaketh so. Not without cause then doeth Moses here wrap up a whole Country under condemnation, if a wicked deed be borne with, or not punished when it cometh to knowledge. And hereby we be put in mind, to be more diligent than we are wont to be, in ridding away of all filth and uncleanness from among us. For it is all one as if we should lay wood upon the fire that is kindled enough [and too much] already, so as we shall all of us be consumed with it in the end; and yet we do so even wittingly and wilfully. Why then do we not open our eyes, sith our Lord showeth us the danger so evidently, and warneth us to provide for it aforehand? Why do we not think upon it? Nay, we be well worthy to perish, and to be utterly confounded, because we have not vouchsafed to receive the counsel that God hath given us.

And hee sayeth expresly, to the ende that the wrath of God bee not vpon thee. Whereby he confirmeth the matter that • haue touched already, which is that we must beware that wee wrap not ourselues in other mens sinnes. For they that correct not euill dooinges when they may, and when their office requireth it; are giltie of it themselues. As for example, if a preacher winke at the vices that reigne; surely he is a traitour and vnfaithfull: for he shoulde keepe good watch, and waken such as are in daunger of vndoing. Then if I beare with the euill wittingly or through negligence: I am the first that shalbe condemned. Likewise if they that holde the sworde of Iustice, execute not the rigor which they ought to redresse mēs misbehauiours: surely the wrath of God is vpon them continually, yea and vpon ye whole country, because no man is found, that complaineth of this, that the mischiefe was so borne withall. One good zealous man is ynough to turne away the wrath of God; for hee will inforce others that were negligent. But when no man beginnes the daunce, but all men drawe backe, and euery man sayes, What nowe? If all the rest put not to their handes, what can I alone doe? Surely none of them all can exempt themselues from condemnation before God; when euerie one of them speaketh so. Not without cause then doeth Moses here wrap vp a whole Countrey vnder condemnation, if a wicked deede bee borne with, or not punished when it commeth to knowledge. And hereby we be put in minde, to be more diligent than we are wont to bee, in ridding away of all filth and vncleannesse from among vs. For it is all one as if we shoulde lay wood vppon the fire that is kindled ynough [and too much] alreadie, so as we shall all of vs be consumed with it in the end; and yet wee doe so euen wittingly and wilfully. Why then doe wee not open our eyes, sith our Lorde sheweth vs the daunger so euidently, and warneth vs to prouide for it aforehande? Why doe wee not thinke vppon it? Nay, wee be well worthy to perish, and to be vtterly confounded, because wee haue not vouchsafed to receiue the counsell that God hath giuen vs.