Sermons upon Deuteronomy

For it is an unkindly and accursed thing, that the children should set themselves against those which brought them into the world, and have brought them up, and have taken so much pain and care for them. For we know that a father occupieth as it were the room of GOD towards his own children and offspring.§60 It followeth then that he that so lifteth up himself against his father or his mother, doth manifestly despise God; even as if he were a contemner of all religion. Now here by the way, God telleth us that although Judges and Magistrates do not their duty, or if he that hath done the wrong to his father and mother be borne with; yet is he not therefore escaped. For many crimes lie buried in this world, which notwithstanding God reserveth; and early or late they must come to account.

For it is an vnkindly and accursed thing, that the children should set themselues against those which brought them into the world, and haue brought them vp, and haue taken so much paine and care for them. For wee knowe that a father occupieth as it were the roome of GOD towardes his owne children and ofspring.§60 It followeth then that hee that so lifteth vppe himselfe against his father or his mother, doth manifestly dispise God; euen as if he were a contemner of all religion. Now heere by ye way, God telleth vs that although Iudges and Magistrates do not their dutie, or if he yt hath done the wrong to his father and mother bee bornewith; yet is he not therfore escaped. For many crimes lie buried in this world, which notwithstanding God reserueth; and early or late they must come to acount.

Let us mark well then, that here is no more speaking of the execution of Justice which is to be done by mean of law; for that hath been spoken of afore: but God declareth that although they which have offended through disobedience, be not punished here in this world; or that their faults be not known, or that no such examination be made of them as they deserve: yet they gained nothing thereby; because there is a heavenly Judge, which forgetteth not any thing, but keepeth all things registered before him, and he in the end will surely do his office. Therefore let us think well upon this doctrine; and although men find no fault with us, nor any man vex or trouble us; let us not thereupon fall asleep, but rather every man summon himself, according to that which is told us here, & consider that we must come before the judgement seat of God. And therefore let us learn to walk in such wise, as he may accept of us when we come there, and as we may not stand in fear of the curse which is uttered here. Not that any of us can perform the Law (as I have declared more fully heretofore:) but that it behooveth us to tend thereunto, and to put our endeavour to it. For although we be not altogether clean before GOD, but contrariwise guilty of many of the faults that are contained here: yet doeth not he lay them to our charge, sobeit that we mislike of them, and give not our selves over to them, nor let the bridle slack. Wherefore let us learn to restrain our selves, and to be sorry, seeing we be not so perfect as were requisite. But yet therewithal (as I have declared already,) let us strain our selves to please our Lord God and to obey him: and let us have such a record in our own consciences, as we may freely and with open mouth say; Cursed be he which hath not followed the doctrine of salvation in such sort as it is showed unto us. To make any long discourse of the honour which every man oweth to his father and mother, it is not needful as now, because the law hath been expounded already heretofore. It sufficeth as now [to know] that in this text GOD declareth that all disobedience, as well against fathers and mothers as against all superiors whom he hath set in authority in this world, is intolerable in his sight. For he will not have us to live here disorderly like beasts: