Sermons upon Deuteronomy

In deed whatsoever the earth bringeth forth, is of his own nature pure and clean, nevertheless we our selves are so defiled, that we corrupt whatsoever we touch, until GOD send his blessing upon his creatures, that by that means they may be sanctified again to our use. And that is the cause why Saint Paul sayeth,¹ that thorough faith and prayer, the meats which we receive are hallowed: not that there is any uncleanness either in the bread, or in any other meats themselves, but because we are not worthy to be partakers of them, until GOD give us leave to use them as to his Children. And this we obtain through faith, and by calling upon the name of GOD, because it pleaseth him to show himself our foster-father. Ye see then how the first fruits served to make all the fruits of the year pure and clean, that men might lawfully use them, and be made partakers of them, receiving them as it were from the hand of GOD. And whosoever they be which without making this confession, and without yielding this homage unto GOD, do glut themselves with meats, although they may say it is of their own goods and living, yet notwithstanding they play the thieves with GOD: and they are not worthy to keep any longer those things which he bestoweth on them: as he which deceiveth his Lord of his land, and will yet receive profit by it, is worthy to be thrust out of all the living which he holdeth of him. So then we see for what purpose this Law was ordained.

In deede whatsoeuer the earth bringeth foorth, is of his owne nature pure and cleane, neuerthelesse wee our selues are so defyled, that wee corrupt whatsoeuer wee touche, vntyll GOD sende his blessing vppon his creatures, that by that meanes they maye bee sanctifyed agayne to our vse. And that is the cause why Saynt Paule sayeth,¹ that thorough fayth and prayer, the meates which wee receyue are hallowed: not that there is any vncleanenesse eyther in the breade, or in any other meates themselues, but bycause wee are not woorthie to bee partakers of them, vntill GOD gyue vs leaue to vse them as to his Children. And this wee obtayne through fayth, and by calling vppon the name of GOD, bycause it pleaseth him to shewe himselfe our foster-father. Yee see then howe the first fruites serued to make all the fruites of the yeere pure and cleane, that men myght lawefullye vse them, and bee made partakers of them, receyuing them as it were from the hande of GOD. And whosoeuer they bee which without makyng this confession, and without yeelding this homage vnto GOD, doe glutte themselues with meates, although they may saye it is of their owne goods and lyuing, yet notwithstanding they playe the theeues with GOD: and they are not woorthie to keepe any longer those thinges which hee bestoweth on them: as hee which deceyueth his Lorde of his lande, and wyl yet receyue profite by it, is woorthie to bee thrust out of all the lyuing which hee holdeth of him. So then wee see for what purpose this Lawe was ordayned.