Sermons upon Deuteronomy

and although they be grown brutish, yet nevertheless their chief intent is to serve GOD. But as for the other sort, they be stark Devils: and although they know and see it sufficiently proved, that they war against God and not against mortal creatures: yet doeth their fury carry them away to proceed still. We see it. We see that whereas in the time of blindness there was some civill order, and men were more bridled: now it seemeth that all things are set at liberty. This were able to make Gods servants quite out of patience. But what for that? We must take courage as Saint Paul comforteth us. He sayeth that whether Gods word bring life or death to men,¹ yet is it always a good and sweet savour before GOD. True it is that Gods word of it self (as shall be declared more fully hereafter) is always the savour of life. For what is it that God aimeth at, if we consider his word in it own nature? The calling of men back to the end they might be saved. And yet for all that, we see by experience that it is an odour and savour of Death, insomuch as the wicked are strangled and choked with it, as soon as they do but take the sent or smell of it. They need not to taste of it nor to eat of it: if they do but take the sent of it a great way of, it is poison to them, so that the devil carries them away, and they fall to fretting and chafing against GOD: and all to their own destruction. And do we see that Gods word turneth into occasion of death, to a great number of men? Yet must we be of good cheer, sayeth S. Paul. And why? Because it is a good and sweet savour unto God, when men are made unexcusable.

and although they bee growen brutish, yet neuerthelesse their chiefe intent is to serue GOD. But as for the other sort, they bee starke Diuels: and although they knowe and see it sufficiently prooued, that they warre against God and not against mortall creatures: yet doeth their furie carrie them away to proceede still. Wee see it. Wee see that whereas in the time of blindnesse there was some ciuill order, and men were more bridled: nowe it seemeth that all thinges are set at libertie. This were able to make Gods seruauntes quite out of patience. But what for that? We must take courage as Saint Paule comforteth vs. Hee saieth that whether Gods worde bring life or death to men,¹ yet is it alwayes a good and sweete sauour before GOD. True it is that Gods worde of it selfe (as shall bee declared more fully hereafter) is alwayes the sauour of life. For what is it that God ameth at, if wee consider his worde in it owne nature? The calling of men backe to the ende they might be saued. And yet for all that, wee see by experience that it is an odour and sauour of Death, insomuch as the wicked are strangled and choked with it, as soone as they doe but take the sent or smell of it. They neede not to taste of it nor to eate of it: if they doe but take the sent of it a great way of, it is poyson to them, so that the diuell carries them away, and they fall to fretting and chafing against GOD: and all to their owne destruction. And do we see that Gods word turneth into occasion of death, to a great nomber of men? Yet must wee bee of good cheere, saieth S. Paul. And why? Bicause it is a good and sweete sauour vnto God, when men are made vnexcusable.