Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Again, there happened other things afterward, so that if a man consider wherefore David took many wives: surely there will ever be some occasion to excuse him to the worldward; but yet for all that, he was blameworthy still before God. And as touching Solomon, he rebelled openly, as a man too much given to the flesh, in that he proceeded even against the prohibition that was given both to himself and to all other kings. And it appeareth what ensued to him for it. For, that he was so abused and deceived by strange women, it was a just punishment; and because he had taken such liberty to himself, God showed him that he had cast him self into Satan's snares. When a fish thinks to swallow up other fishes, he himself is caught or choked by that mean. Even so was Solomon fain to receive his payment, because he gave himself too much to his delights and pleasures. And it is a dreadful thing, & a thing that ought to make the hair to stand up upon our heads, that so excellent a man, endued with so great gifts of Gods spirit, should become an idolater, and fall away from the pure serving of God, specially being himself a prophet to teach the whole world, and a lamp to direct not only the children of Israel, but also the very Infidels, and to draw them to the knowledge of the trueth. O that such a man should overshoot himself after that fashion! And whereof came this? Even of giving head to his own lusts: & therefore God payed him his just hire. Seeing we know this, ought we not to quake at such vengeance set before our eyes? Yes, and therefore let us mark well, that whereas David and Solomon had many wives, it was not without fault and transgression: and thereby we see so much the more how needful this law is. For if God had never forbidden kings to have many wives, had not their liberty been yet the more excessive? Yes verily. For they cannot be withheld from rebelling against God. Their flesh carrieth them so away, that they forget the thing which ought to be best known unto them. This text ought to be noted above all others, specially for kings: and yet they think not of it at all. And therefore we see it was not for nought, that GOD prevented that mischief.

Againe, there happened other things afterwarde, so that if a man consider wherefore Dauid tooke many wiues: surely there wil euer be some occasion to excuse him to the worldward; but yet for all that, he was blameworthie stil before God. And as touching Salomon, he rebelled openly, as a man too much giuen to ye flesh, in that he proceeded euen against the prohibition that was giuen both to himselfe and to all other kinges. And it appeareth what insued to him for it. For, that hee was so abused and deceiued by strange women, it was a iust punishment; and because he had taken such libertie to himselfe, God shewed him that he had cast him selfe into Satans snares. When a fish thinkes to swallowe vp other fishes, he himselfe is caught or choked by that meane. Euen so was Salomō faine to receiue his payment, because hee gaue himselfe too much to his delightes and pleasures. And it is a dreadful thing, & a thing that ought to make the hayre to stande vp vpon our heades, that so excellent a man, indued with so great giftes of Gods spirit, shoulde become an ydolater, and fall away from the pure seruing of God, specially being himselfe a prophet to teach the whole worlde, and a lampe to direct not only the children of Israell, but also the verie Infidels, and to draw them to the knowledge of the trueth. O that such a man shoulde ouershoote himselfe after that fashion! And whereof came this? Euen of giuing heade to his owne lustes: & therefore God payed him his iust hyre. Seeing we know this, ought we not to quake at such vē geance set before our eyes? Yes, and therefore let vs marke wel, that whereas Dauid and Salomon had many wiues, it was not without fault and transgression: and thereby wee see so much the more howe needefull this lawe is. For if God had neuer forbidden kings to haue many wiues, had not their libertie beene yet the more excessiue? Yes verily. For they cannot bee withhelde from rebelling against God. Their flesh carryeth them so away, that they forget the thing which ought to bee best knowen vnto them. This text ought to bee noted aboue all others, specially for kinges: and yet they thinke not of it at all. And therefore wee see it was not for nought, that GOD preuented that mischiefe.