Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And here we have to mark first of all that if the heathen and the unbelievers, and the poor ignorant souls which have not been trained in the word of God were not excused for this vice: we on our side offend God much more grievously and without all excuse. For he hath separated us from all the world. Yet notwithstanding men may well sooth themselves: for there is not any thing where God trieth our obedience more, than by the living and dying at his pleasure, so as we know that our lives be not in our own hands, but that it belongeth to him to dispose of them: and every of us is ready to depart out of this world,¹ whensoever it pleaseth him to call us: Or if he take away our kinsfolk or friends from us, we be well contented with it. And indeed, why pray we daily that his will should be done, but to protest that we be willing to hold all our affections in captivity, and to keep them in awe? Sith it is so: surely they that vex themselves with immoderate lamenting for the decease of their friends, are sufficiently convicted by the only order of nature, that they strive with God and rebel against him. Nevertheless, (as I said afore) if the silly ignorant souls torment themselves after that fashion, they be to be pitied. For they know not that our days are determined, and that God reserved the authority and privilege of calling us unto him, when he sent us into the world. They know none of all this: and therefore it is no wonder though they use such excess in their mourning. Moreover, they have not wherewith to comfort themselves: for none of them hath ever had any understanding of the everlasting life. To their seeming, if a man be once dead, all is lost, he is utterly forlorn, he is quite and clean come to nought. And that is the cause why they conceive so excessive and unmeasurable grief. Othersome go at all adventure: and although they have some imagination of the endless life, yet are they not assured of the salvation of the parties, and therefore they cannot comfort themselves with the favour of God. But as for us, we know that death is but a parting of the soul and body asunder, to the end that God may show his inestimable power in raising us again. And we know also that he is a faithful keeper of our souls when he hath received them:

And here we haue to marke first of all that if the heathen and the vnbeleeuers, and the poore ignoraunt soules which haue not beene trayned in the worde of God were not excused for this vice: wee on our side offende God much more greeuously and without all excuse. For he hath separated vs from all the worlde. Yet notwithstanding men may well sooth themselues: for there is not any thing where God tryeth our obedience more, than by the liuing and dying at his pleasure, so as wee knowe that our liues be not in our owne handes, but that it belongeth to him to dispose of them: and euerie of vs is readie to departe out of this worlde,