Sermons upon Deuteronomy

He sayeth not that he will give them power. And then will I make them (sayeth he) to walk in my commandments. This is it that GOD doeth attribute unto himself, to wit, that he will so imprint his Law in our hearts, as we shall have a will agreeable unto his: and then he will guide and govern us in such sort as we shall overcome all temptations, and accomplish that which he commandeth us. It belongeth not to us then, to challenge such praise to our selves. Thereby we see that the Papists deal treacherously in all the doctrine of freewill: for all their whole seeking is to rob GOD of all that ever the holy Scripture declareth to be his, and which he reserveth to himself, and to spoil him of his honour, usurping it every man to himself. Let us therefore beware of this devilish arrogance, and let us understand that Saint Paul hath not said without cause,¹ That it is GOD that worketh in us both the will and the deed. Saint Paul sayeth not after the manner of the Papists, that when God giveth us the mean, we may be able to will that which is good, but he sayeth, that he will put the will in us. And then he addeth, that GOD in likewise doeth work the matter, that is to say, he accomplisheth the good works in us: and the whole is performed (sayeth he) after his own will. Therefore, whereas the Papists say that GOD hath respect whether we be able to use his grace well or no: and that according as every man behaveth and governeth himself, GOD dealeth with him thereafter: Saint Paul sayeth that it proceedeth altogether of GODS good pleasure. And yet it is not therefore to be said that we be blocks of wood. But let us mark well what Saint Paul concludeth, that is, that we must walk in fear and wariness,² working our salvation. What? Is it in us to do it? No: but he showeth that we be instruments of GOD, and that when he giveth us the will and power to perform, it is because that every one of us should offer himself to do his endeavour, howbeit under the leading of the holy Spirit, acknowledging that all of it proceedeth from above: and Saint Paul sayeth that we must do it with fear and carefulness, to the intent we be not unprofitable;

Hee sayeth not that hee will giue them power. And then will I make them (sayeth hee) to walke in my commaundementes. This is it that GOD doeth attribute vnto himselfe, to wit, that hee will so imprint his Lawe in our heartes, as wee shall haue a will agreeable vnto his: and then hee will guide and gouerne vs in such sorte as wee shall ouercome all temptations, and accomplish that which hee commaundeth vs. It belongeth not to vs then, to challendge such prayse to our selues. Thereby wee see that the Papistes deale treacherously in all the doctrine of freewill: for all their whole seeking is to robbe GOD of all that euer the holy Scripture declareth to bee his, and which hee reserueth to himselfe, and to spoyle him of his honour, vsurping it euerie man to himselfe. Let vs therefore beware of this diuelish arrogancie, and let vs vnderstande that Saint Paule hath not sayde without cause,