Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And here is express mention made of the time that went before. In deed in the Hebrew it is, yesterday or before yesterday: but it is but their common phrase of speech, whereby they do betoken all time that is past. And hereby our Lord meant to declare, that men must not look only at the present deed, but that they must proceed further, and see whether any mischief lay lurking afore. For if a man allege circumstances to clear himself, and be not found faulty out of hand; that is not yet enough: an eye must be had what went before: the thing may be found out in a month which can not be found in a day: and the thing will be found in a year, which is not to be found in a month. Now if this ought to be done in earthly Justice: let every of us practise it likewise in our own behalf. When we enter into the consideration of our own faults, let us not look only upon the things that are presently fallen out; but let us go yet further and say; How is this befallen me? It is because I have nourished this vice long time in me, whereas if I had cut it off at the first, God would not have left me so much to my self. But what? I have soothed my self in mine evil doings, and suffered this cursed seed to take root in my heart, without regarding ⟨p. 690⟩to repress it, so as it may seem that I have bin minded to tempt God wilfully. And therefore it is good reason that I should fall so grossly, sith I my self am the cause thereof. Such examination should we make of all our faults, and not only condemn our selves for the present deed done, but also proceed further and say; Alas, if I had armed my self against Satan or if I had not of long time set open the way for him, or if I had not wrought the means for him §10to beguile me: God had preserved me. But mine own negligence is to blame for it, thereof it cometh that I have yielded my self to this wicked lust, against the which I should have strived at the first. And so ye see yet again what we have to mark when we be to examine our selves well; and what doctrine we have to gather of this saying, that inquiry must be made whether there have bin any former hatred betwixt the parties that are spoken of in this place.

And here is expresse mention made of the time that went before. In deede in the Hebrewe it is, yesterday or before yesterday: but it is but their common phrase of speach, whereby they doe betoken all time that is past. And hereby our Lord meant to declare, that men must not looke onely at the present deede, but that they must proceede further, and see whether any mischief lay lurking afore. For if a man alledge circumstances to cleere himselfe, and bee not found faultie out of hand; that is not yet enough: an eye must be had what went before: the thing may be found out in a moneth which can not be found in a day: and the thing will bee found in a yeere, which is not to be found in a moneth. Now if this ought to be done in earthly Iustice: let euery of vs practise it lykewise in our owne behalfe. When wee enter into the consideration of our owne faultes, let vs not looke onely vppon the thinges that are presently falne out; but let vs goe yet further and say; How is this befalne me? It is because I haue nourished this vice long time in me, whereas if I had cut it off at the first, God would not haue left me so much to my selfe. But what? I haue soothed my selfe in mine euill dooinges, and suffered this cursed seede to take roote in my heart, without regarding