Sermons upon Deuteronomy

When it cometh to death, we know that Christ Jesus had victory thereof, and that seeing he is risen, we be assured that forasmuch as we be his members, and have one common life together with him, therefore we shall not perish. Thus doth death turn to our gain and profit, and we have cause to rejoice in all respects.

When it commeth to death, we know that Christ Iesus had victorie thereof, and yt seeing he is rysen, we be assured yt forasmuch as we be his members, and haue one common life together with him, therefore wee shall not perishe. Thus doth death turne to our gaine and profite, and we haue cause to reioyce in all respectes.

Moreover where it is said, That after the death §40of Moses the people will rise, there is no doubt but that this grieved Moses. For he bare such a fervent zeal to the welfare of the people, that he forgot himself and said,¹ Race me out of the book of life, and let the people be saved. See here how Moses was content to be cu•te off, yea, and even to be damned so that God would save the people; not because that that was possible; but he was so ravished, that he had no care of himself. Now therefore when he heard that §50the people would fall away from God, there is no doubt but his heart was mortally wounded. But what? Yet must he needs hear these tidings full of sorrow and anguish. Herein we see how God did exercise him even unto the end. We must not therefore suppose, that Moses discharged his du•tie, as it were with dalliance; but that he had terrible hartbyting, so as he was tossed too and fro, and God gave him always dreadful gripes of mind. But yet nevertheless §60he did still continue. And therefore when we see that matters fall not out as we would, albeit that we have faithfully laboured, and it seem that our travail is unprofitable, and that Satan will throw down that which we have endeavoured to set up; and things fall out to trouble and disorder: let it not turn us aside from the good way: let it not repent us that we have served our GOD, let it content us that our labour is acceptable unto him: for although it be not so profitable unto men as were to be wished, yet have we done such a sacrifice unto God as he doth receive and accept. Yea but yet if men fare little the better thereby, we may be sorry and sigh therefore. Nevertheless we have not lost our time, because God liketh well of our doings. That (say I) is the thing whereby the ministers of Gods word should comfort themselves at this day, when they see the world so drunken, as we see it is, and that in stead of going forward, the greater part goeth backward; and that whereas Gods word is so preached unto them, that the very walls do ring of it: yet do they but make a scoff of it. When we see such things, let us resort to God and say: Alas Lord, thou knowest wherefore thou hast employed us hereunto, and albeit that thy doctrine be so slenderly received of the world, yet is it always a sacrifice of good savour unto thee; according as Saint Paul saith: