Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Let us be afraid therefore, least God do work after that manner, when he perceiveth such stubbornness in us, as he cannot win us by measurable and tolerable corrections. And therewithal let us also take warning by this word Of sure plagues; that when God hath followed us to reduce us to the way of salvation, and we have still fled from him, the plagues must also continue to the uttermost both upon us and upon all our linage, insomuch that when we think to see an end thereof, we shall not have yet begun. Let us not therefore make account to escape, when the plague hath lasted a while: for accordingly as we proceed on in our naughtiness; so must God proceed with his rigour and augment it more and more; according as he seeth us to wax worse and worse. Then let us not do as we see most men do, which cry out and storm at it, saying: And when shall this have an end? How happeneth it that God taketh no pity on me to ease me of my pains? But in the mean while have they any mind to reconcile themselves to God? Do they confess their faults and bewail them? Nay rather they be at the very point to defy him. Yet do they talk of their afflictions, and make complaints: but in the mean while no man looketh to the ground of the mischief to amend it. Therefore when we have bin stubborn against our God, let us not think it strange, that he should pursue us with such rigour: but let us acknowledge that it is expedient for us. In the mean space, let us not forget this that is written here: namely, that God threateneth sinners, to the end to bring them back again, notwithstanding that they have bin as folk forlorn and past hope of recovery. For God speaketh not to such as had committed but one only fault, or some two or three faults, or to such as having done amiss, did not wholly give themselves over to wickedness: but he speaketh unto such offenders, as had made war long time against him, and despised his word, and bin deaf to all his warnings, and had made but a mock of them. Yet notwithstanding he doth not cease to threaten them still. And to what end and purpose? Even to win them by his amiable goodness. So then although we have bin misadvised for a time, yet is it better for us to turn late than never: and so shall we fare the better by that which is showed us here by Moses.

Let vs bee afraide therefore, least God doe worke after that manner, when hee perceaueth such stubbornnesse in vs, as hee cannot winne vs by measurable and tollerable corrections. And therewithal let vs also take warning by this word Of sure plagues; that when God hath followed vs to reduce vs to the way of saluatiō, and we haue still fled from him, the plagues must also continue to the vttermost both vpon vs and vpon all our lynage, insomuch that when wee thinke to see an end therof, we shal not haue yet begunne. Let vs not therefore make account to escape, when the plague hath lasted a while: for accordingly as wee proceede on in our naughtinesse; so must God proceede with his rigor and augment it more and more; according as hee seeth vs to waxe worse and worse. Then let vs not doe as we see most men doe, which cry out and storme at it, saying: And when shall this haue an end? How happeneth it that God taketh no pitie on mee to ease me of my paynes? But in the meane while haue they any minde to reconcile themselues to God? Do they cōfesse their faults and bewaile them? Nay rather they be at the very poynt to defy him. Yet doe they talke of their afflictions, and make complaintes: but in the meane while no man looketh to the ground of the mischief to amend it. Therefore when we haue bin stubborne against our God, let vs not thinke it straunge, that he should pursue vs with such rigour: but let vs acknowledge that it is expedient for vs. In the meane space, let vs not forget this that is written here: namely, that God threatneth sinners, to the ende to bring them backe againe, notwithstanding that they haue bin as folke forlorne and past hope of recouery. For God speaketh not to such as had committed but one onely fault, or some two or three faultes, or to such as hauing done amisse, did not wholy giue themselues ouer to wickednesse: but he speaketh vnto such offenders, as had made warre long time against him, and despised his word, and bin deafe to all his warnings, and had made but a mock of them. Yet notwithstanding he doth not cease to threaten them stil. And to what end and purpose? Euen to winne them by his amiable goodnes. So then although we haue bin misaduised for a time, yet is it better for vs to turne late than neuer: and so shall wee fare the better by that which is shewed vs here by Moses.