Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now herewithal we ought to weigh well this word which Moses addeth. He saith twice As the Lord hath said unto thee, whereby he showeth, that when we come unto God, we must not come unto him ⟨p. 914⟩with stoutness & pride, as though he were beholden unto us; but we must know that we come because he calleth us. What mortal man will presume to present himself before God & say, bind thy self unto me, & let us covenant here together, that thou wilt be my God, & that I shall be of the number of thy people? Were not men stark mad if they should presume to speak so unto God? Now then let us note, that it is for him to open our mouths, & to give us such warrant. And that is §10the cause why Moses sayeth (& that not once only, but with a double repetition) that it is God which hath spoken. Therefore if men should of their own mind come unto God & say, bind thy self unto us; it were a devilish rashness: but let us wait until our Lord call us. And when it pleaseth him to offer speech unto us, then let us know that it is no presumption worthy to be condemned to say, well Lord, seeing we know thy will, we will use the liberty which thou offerest unto us. That §20is the manner of proceeding which we must observe when we come unto God. But herein we see how the wretched world hath bin blinded with horrible abuses. When we speak of the certainty of our salvation, the Papists say it is a presumptuousness: & that we must always stand in suspense & doubt of it. Their belief is, that no man ought to assure himself of his salvation, but that he should only ween & suppose it. Neither is it the ignorantest sort which speak thus: but it is §30the resolute determination of all their devilish schools. But in the mean while what do they? Every of them bindeth God at his own pleasure: and look what they have forged & devised, that will they have God to admit for good, although he never spake word of it. These are two extremities which are too excessive. For on yt one side the Papists stand always in doubt saying, I cannot tell in what case I am with God: in deed I think I stand in his favour, but I know not how yt matter §40goeth. And what is the cause [why they use such manner of speeches?] Forsooth they are afraid of presumptuousness. Is it presumptuousness to hang wholly upon the goodness of God; & to do him the honour to believe his word; and to answer Amen, as soon as he speaketh;