Sermons upon Deuteronomy

As for example, if we be afflicted out of measure to our own seeming: yet must we not murmur nor fret at it, For in good sooth what shall we gain by it? It will turn to our double confusion. Nay, let us pray God to frame us to such obedience, as we may patiently receive the afflictions that he sendeth us, in such wise as the things which seem strange to our own appetites, affections, and §50thoughts, may be deemed of us to be good, just, and rightful, because he willeth them. That is the point which we must come unto. To be short, let us learn, not to be wise in our own conceit, nor to give head to our affections: for those two things are requisite, if we intend to glorify God in all his doings.

As for example, if wee be afflicted out of measure to our own seeming: yet must we not murmur nor fret at it, For in good sooth what shall wee gaine by it? It will turne to our dubble confusion. Nay, let vs pray God to frame vs to such obedience, as wee may patiently receiue ye afflictions that he sendeth vs, in such wise as the thinges which seeme straunge to our owne appetites, affections, and §50thoughtes, may bee deemed of vs to bee good, iust, and rightfull, bicause he willeth them. That is the point which wee must come vnto. To bee short, let vs learne, not to bee wise in our owne conceite, nor to giue head to our affections: for those two things are requisite, if we intēd to glorifie God in all his doings.

Now here is also that which Moses addeth, concerning the Cities and the greatness of them, and concerning the Country, and the §60great strength of Og King of Bashan. We took (sayeth he) threescore Cities, which were very well fortified ▪ and furnished in such wise, as there was no likelihood that they should have been easily taken. Moses addeth these circumstances, of purpose to magnify Gods grace the more, that the people might perceive that their strength came not flying in the air, but that it was GOD that gave it them. And that is a point well worthy to be noted. For if it be to vaunt of our own prowess, we can skill well enough to gather the things that may serve for the purpose. O (say we,) I had such a thing and such a thing: I have compassed my matters trimly: such a crink was practised against me a great way off, and I remedied it with such a shift. See my cunning, see my policy: there were such matches and such against me, but I shifted well enough with them all, so as I dispatched them everyone, and mine enemies won nothing at my hand. To be short, we can skill to allege all things that may give a fair gloss and show to our own virtues. But if it be to glorify God, for the relief that we have had at his hand: we run over it as it were upon hot coals (as they say) we remember not the distress that we were in, the danger that we be scaped out of seemeth to be a thing of nothing. See what our lewdness is. So much the more therefore doeth it stand us on hand, to mark what is told us here, that is to wit, that in all the benefits which we have received of God, we must consider in what taking we had been, if we had gone without them: and we shall have matter good store wherewith to do that, if we be not wilfully blind as we are wont to be. For was not the least danger that ever we fell into, enough to abash us? But when a thing toucheth us any thing near: ye shall see us as sore dismayed as may be. In deed if we be once out of it, it is nothing with us: but that is for want of minding it. Yet notwithstanding if we see but a mote or a fly whisking by our eyes: by and by we be dazzled. But yet for all this, out of how great things doeth God deliver us?