Sermons upon Deuteronomy

The second point also is in like wise worthy to be well marked; that is to wit, that we ought always to confess, that if GOD listed to examine us with extremity, notwithstanding that he have given us his grace, and strengthened us against Satan and all the temptations of the world, yet should we be always in his danger, yea even to our condemnation, were it not that he did bear with us. So then in making this promise, we do evermore remember that GOD will not enter into account with us, to judge us according to our deserts; but will use his infinite goodness toward us, and have pity on our infirmities. Thus much as concerning the oath. In the Popedom, when Monks, Nuns, and Priests make their vows, they swear to abstain from marriage, wherein they make open war against GOD, and defy him. And why? Because they take that upon them which is not granted them. They suppose that they shall be able to forebear the remedy of marriage, and yet they can not tell whether GOD hath called them thereunto, or no: they have not one word of promise; God hath never required such things of them. Therefore is it a devilish arrogance, and we see how GOD hath punished it. But it is a far other matter when we make no promise unto GOD, but of that which he commandeth, and which he alloweth by his word. Again, we go not about it with opinion to bring it to pass by our own power and ability; but because he hath told us that he will help our infirmities: forsomuch as we be evermore grounded upon his free goodness, whereof we may assure ourselves in our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus must we make our solemn oath before GOD. As in deed we be already bound unto him in Baptism, upon such condition as he maketh us his promise, and we for our part must make good the same when we come to the age of knowledge. Thus ye see how our Lord continueth firm and constant to govern us as his people, and to hold us in his keeping to the end: and also that we in like case shall behave our selves quietly towards him, so as he may wholly enjoy us. That is the thing in effect which we have to bear in mind concerning this text of Moses.

The seconde point also is in like wise worthy to be well marked; that is to witte, that wee ought alwayes to confesse, that if GOD listed to examine vs with extremitie, notwithstanding that he haue giuen vs his grace, and strengthened vs against Sathan and all the temptations of the worlde, yet should wee be alwayes in his daunger, yea euen to our condemnation, were it not that hee did beare with vs. So then in making this promise, wee doe euermore remember that GOD will not enter into account with vs, to iudge vs according to our desertes; but will vse his infinite goodnesse towarde vs, and haue pitie on our infirmities. Thus much as concerning the othe. In the Popedome, when Monkes, Nunnes, and Priests make their vowes, they sweare to abstaine from mariage, wherein they make open warre against GOD, and defie him. And why? Because they take that vppon them which is not graunted them. They suppose that they shal be able to forebeare the remedie of mariage, and yet they can not tell whether GOD hath called them thereunto, or no: they haue not one worde of promise; God hath neuer required such thinges of them. Therefore is it a diuelishe arrogancie, and we see howe GOD hath punished it. But it is a farre other matter when we make no promise vnto GOD, but of that which he commaundeth, and which hee alloweth by his worde. Againe, wee goe not about it with opinion to bring it to passe by our owne power and abilitie; but because hee hath tolde vs that hee will helpe our infirmities: forsomuch as wee bee euermore grounded vppon his free goodnesse, whereof we may assure ourselues in our Lorde Iesus Christ. Thus must we make our solemne othe before GOD. As in deede wee bee alreadie bounde vnto him in Baptisme, vpon such condition as he maketh vs his promise, and wee for our parte must make good the same when wee come to the age of knoweledge. Thus yee see howe our Lorde continueth firme and constant to gouerne vs as his people, and to holde vs in his keeping to the ende: and also that wee in like case shall behaue our selues quietly towardes him, so as hee may wholly enioy vs. That is the thing in effect which we haue to beare in mind concerning this text of Moses.