Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Let us therefore mark it well, that the vices which be in us, serve not to discharge us, so as God should not always have his right to reprove us, yea and also to condemn us, if we follow not his trueth when it is offered unto us. For the better understanding whereof, let us consider that this is not spoken of the Jews only, but generally of all men. For through the offence of Adam, we be so alienated from God, that all our powers be corrupted and faulty. By the powers of the soul I mean the understanding, reason, will and judgement: All these things are utterly perverted by Adams turning away from GOD. And for proof thereof, the reason and wisdom which the first man had, were not in himself, saving in that he was fashioned after the Image of God: and therefore as soon as he was separated from his creator, who is the fountain of all goodness, he could not but be deprived of all the graces that GOD had erst bestowed on him. Ye see then how Adam did so banish himself from the kingdom of GOD, that in stead of the spiritual riches wherewith he was first endowed, there is nothing in him now but all manner of wretchedness. For the heritage which we have from him is to be altogether sequestered from Gods grace. In deed there do yet still remain in us certain prints of them: to the intent we should not be like the brute beasts, I mean even by nature. Although the Paynims be not reformed by the spirit of GOD, yet are they not as Oxen, Asses, or Dogs. We therefore do still bear some mark of that Image of God which was imprinted in the first man: howbeit that we have corrupted it altogether. For although that we can judge betwixt good and evil, yet is not that able to lead us to perfection of true doctrine; neither is it able to make us to know our God, to honour him sincerely as we ought: but whereas we have a certain seed of knowledge that there is a GOD, we be dazzled in our thoughts, and forge vain dotages to our selves. Thence come all the idolatries, that ever were in the world. For albeit that men do very well understand that there is a certain divine majesty which ought to be honoured, yet are they not able to attain thereunto: but do beguile themselves with certain imaginations, notwithstanding the light which is in them:

Let vs therefore marke it well, that the vices which bee in vs, serue not to discharge vs, so as God shoulde not alwayes haue his right to reproue vs, yea and also to condemne vs, if we folowe not his trueth when it is offered vnto vs. For the better vnderstanding whereof, let vs consider that this is not spoken of the Iewes onely, but generally of all meu. For through the offence of Adam, we be so alienated from God, that al our powers be corrupted and faultie. By the powers of the soule I meane the vnderstanding, reason, will and iudgement: All these thinges are vtterly peruerted by Adams turning away from GOD. And for proofe thereof, the reason and wisedome which the first man had, were not in himselfe, sauing in that hee was fashioned after the Image of God: and therefore as soone as hee was separated from his creator, who is the fountaine of all goodnesse, hee coulde not but be depriued of all the graces that GOD had earst bestowed on him. Yee see then howe Adam did so banish himselfe from the kingdome of GOD, that in stead of the spirituall riches wherewith hee was first endowed, there is nothing in him now but al manner of wretchednesse. For the heritage which wee haue from him is to bee altogether sequestred from Gods grace. In deed there doe yet still remaine in vs certaine prints of them: to the intent wee shoulde not be like the brute beastes, I meane euen by nature. Although the Paynims bee not reformed by the spirit of GOD, yet are they not as Oxen, Asses, or Dogges. Wee therefore doe still beare some marke of that Image of God which was imprinted in the first man: howbeit that wee haue corrupted it altogether. For although that wee can iudge betwixt good and euill, yet is not that able to leade vs to perfection of true doctrine; neither is it able to make vs to knowe our God, to honour him syncerely as we ought: but whereas wee haue a certaine seede of knowledge that there is a GOD, wee bee dazeled in our thoughtes, and forge vaine dotages to our selues. Thence come all the idolatries, that euer were in the worlde. For albeit that men doe very well vnderstand that there is a certaine diuine maiestie which ought to be honored, yet are they not able to attaine thereunto: but doe beguile themselues with certaine imaginations, notwithstanding the light which is in them: