Sermons upon Deuteronomy

we must hearken unto him speaking of the free promises which he offereth unto us in our Lord Jesus Christ. God in the holy scripture useth a double speech: And when I speak of double speech, I mean not that he do• bleth on his part, or that he is contrary to himself, or the one saying of his is repugnant to an other: for God keepeth always at one stay, and (as I have said afore) he changeth not: all the speeches that proceed from him do very well agree together, without any contradiction. Nevertheless, as touching his law, there he hath spoken as a Judge & not as a father. In his law he speaketh as a Judge, saying: He that liveth as he ought, shall not be deceived, he shall not leese his labour: for when you have done me service, I will cause you to prosper. After such manner doth God speak in the person of a Judge. And when we have received this word, behold we are confounded, howsoever the case standeth. And wherefore? For that in stead of ability to obtain the grace that is offered unto us, we cease not to kindle Gods wrath against us; and therefore we be all damned. What is to be done then? God cometh speaking as a father, and saith: Well then, I am contented to forbear this rigour of mine, which I might execute upon you by my law; howbeit that the same is not over great: for I have applied my self so far unto you, as to promise that which is not your due: I have bin willing as it were to entice you by amiable means: but I have won nothing thereby, because of your frowardness. What remedy then? I come now to tell you, that if you will believe in my Son, I will release you of all your debts. If you will receive him for your Shepherd, that he may guide you quietly, you shall perceive that I desire not to win you otherwise than by gentle & friendly dealing, as if I should say, Come unto me, & I will forgive you all your sins, & accept you into favour. And albeit that you are miserable creatures, deserving utter damnation: yet will I quite forget & bury all your offences: when I have so done, I promise to beget you anew, by my holy spirit: and this grace shall be given unto you by means of mine only son, if you labour to come unto him. And thereupon although you be driven to strive against many temptations, and that at the first encounter ye have not full victory over them, but that ye be encompassed with many spots and vices still:

we must harken vnto him speaking of the free promises which hee offereth vnto vs in our Lord Iesus Christ. God in ye holy scripture vseth a double speach: And whē I speake of double speach, I meane not yt he do bleth on his part, or yt he is contrarie to himselfe, or ye one saying of his is repugnant to an other: for God keepeth alwaies at one stay, and (as I haue said afore) hee changeth not: all ye speeches yt proceed from him do very wel agree together, without any contradictiō. Neuertheles, as touching his law, there he hath spoken as a Iudge & not as a father. In his law he speaketh as a Iudge, saying: He yt liueth as he ought, shal not bee deceiued, he shal not leese his labor: for when you haue done me seruice, I wil cause you to prosper. After such maner doth God speake in the person of a Iudge. And when wee haue receiued this word, behold we are confounded, howsoeuer the case standeth. And wherefore? For that in stead of abilitie to obteine the grace yt is offered vnto vs, wee ceasse not to kindle Gods wrath against vs; and therefore we be all damned. What is to be done then? God commeth speaking as a father, and saith: Well then, I am contented to forbeare this rigour of mine, which I might execute vpon you by my law; howbeit yt the same is not ouer great: for I haue applied my selfe so far vnto you, as to promise that which is not your due: I haue bin willing as it were to entice you by amiable meanes: but I haue wonne nothing therby, because of your frowardnes. What remedy then? I come now to tel you, yt if you wil beleeue in my Son, I wil release you of al your debts. If you will receiue him for your Shepheard, yt he may guide you quietly, you shall perceiue yt I desire not to win you otherwise thā by gentle & friendly dealing, as if I should say, Come vnto mee, & I will forgiue you al your sins, & accept you into fauor. And albeit yt you are miserable creatures, deseruing vtter damnatiō: yet wil I quite forget & bury al your offences: when I haue so doone, I promise to beget you anew, by my holy spirite: and this grace shalbee giuen vnto you by meanes of mine onely son, if you labour to come vnto him. And therupō although you be driuen to striue against many temptatiōs, and yt at ye first encounter ye haue not ful victorie ouer them, but that ye be encompassed with many spottes and vices still: