Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And if we be demanded how such persons can be Christians, as are settled in wealth and at their ease: the answer thereunto is that every man must beware first of all that he seek not his own ease too much. For we hear how S. Paul saith,¹ that we must no cocker our flesh in the lusts thereof. And why? Because there is no •o when we once begin to follow our own likings: they be so far out to order, that there is always somewhat amiss in them. They therefore which will be lodged after their hearts desire, so as there may be nothing amiss in their state: do put themselves in great hazard of falling into a sound sleep, and of entangling themselves in such wise in the world, as they may never think more upon the heavenly rest. And therefore a man cannot keep too good a measure nor too stayed a hand in that behalf. Not that we can be tied to any certain rule, for we must use Gods creatures freely. If we should be scrupulous at every thing, what would come of it? Either we should never be thankful to God for the benefits that ⟨p. 617⟩he bestoweth upon us, because we be not sure that he hath given us leave to use them freely: or else we shall become hardhearted and stubborn to use them as it were in despite of GOD, by means whereof all things should be corrupted. So then, we must use our houses as we do all other commodities of this present life, without making any scruple of conscience in them But yet therewithal, we must beware (as I said afore) that we give not the bridle to our flesh,§10 by satisfying the desires thereof: for it is a bottomless pit, and we can never come to the bottom of it.

And if we be demaunded howe such persons can be Christians, as are setled in wealth and at their ease: the aunswere thereunto is that euery man must beware first of all that hee seeke not his owne ease too much. For we heare howe S. Paul saith,¹ that wee must no cocker our flesh in ye lusts thereof. And why? Because there is no •o when wee once beginne to followe our owne likinges: they be so far out to order, that there is alwayes somewhat amisse in them. They therefore which will be lodged after their heartes desire, so as there may be nothing amisse in their state: doe put themselues in great hazarde of falling into a sounde sleepe, and of intangling themselues in such wise in the worlde, as they may neuer thinke more vppon the heauenly rest. And therefore a man cannot keepe too good a measure nor too stayed a hand in that behalfe. Not that wee can bee tyed to any certayne rule, for we must vse Gods creatures freely. If wee shoulde be scrupulous at euerie thing, what woulde come of it? Either wee shoulde neuer be thankefull to God for the benefites that