Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And it is the same thing that S. Paul speaketh of, howbeit he showeth us the mean also how to put this lesson in ure.¹ True it is that by nature we seek not to be dissolved or cast down. If ye say to a man, my friend, are you willing to die? It were against nature for him to say yea, unless it were to some better end: for his desire is to have being still. Indeed the unbelievers do besot themselves in their desiring to be: for this being of theirs is but to cram themselves, to eat & drink, to fill their bellies like swine, to sleep like beasts, and to look upon pleasant things, as folks that are carried altogether with sensuality. Those are the things wherein the unbelievers repose themselves. And in the mean while they be so dull, that they consider not that that being of theirs is no being at all, and that the state of this present life is but a shadow which is ever fleeting & never at any stay. But contrariwise when the godly say, it is good to live, thereupon they conclude, that it is not for them to cover death unless it be to exchange for the better. Nevertheless, when they take hold by saith upon the heritage which God hath promised them: ⟨p. 618⟩then are they desirous (and not without just cause) to depart out of this mortal body, that it may be renewed again. We see then as now, how we may dwell with joy in tents: that is to say, by being assured that after we be passed out of this world, we shall be taken up into the resting place which God hath prepared for us, & which was purchased for us so dearly. Therefore let us go on with a free courage, & let us not cease to keep on our pace, until we be come to our end.§10 And let us always conclude with ourselves, that it is enough for us to hope continually that the heavenly rest shall not fail us, after that God hath exercised us in this world, and tossed us to and fro. Thus ye see in effect how we ought to keep this feast with gladness.

And it is the same thing yt S. Paul speaketh of, howbeit hee sheweth vs ye meane also how to put this lesson in vre.¹ True it is yt by nature we seeke not to be dissolued or cast downe. If yee say to a man, my friende, are you willing to die? It were against nature for him to say yea, vnles it were to some better ende: for his desire is to haue being still. Indede the vnbeleeuers do besot themselues in their desiring to be: for this beeing of theirs is but to cram themselues, to eat & drinke, to fil their bellies like swine, to sleepe like beasts, and to looke vppon pleasaunt thinges, as folkes that are caried altogither with sensualitie. Those are the things wherein the vnbeleeuers repose themselues. And in the meane while they be so dull, that they consider not that that beeing of theirs is no being at all, and that the state of this presēt life is but a shadow which is euer fleeting & neuer at any stay. But contrarywise when the godly say, it is good to liue, thereupon they conclude, that it is not for them to couer death vnlesse it be to exchaunge for the better. Neuerthelesse, when they take holde by saith vppon the heritage which God hath promised them: