Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now let us proceed to that which Moses addeth, namely: That GOD did then raise up a people which was no people, and a Nation which was no Nation. By these words we be done to understand, that until such time as GOD hath chosen us, and drawn us to the knowledge of his trueth: it is all one as if we were not at all. True it is that Gods setting of us in this world is not a benefit to be despised, neither doeth he set us here as Asses, Oxen, and Dogs: but as reasonable creatures, and he putteth his image into us. Inestimable is the benefit which he doeth us therein: but yet for all that, forasmuch as we be corrupted in Adam, and all of us are accursed; insomuch that sin doeth so reign in us, that the Image of GOD is wiped out, and the understanding which we ween our selves to have is but brutishness, and our hearts are turned upside down, so as there is nothing but rebelliousness in us: therefore it is said that we be not worthy to be counted a people, that is to say, it were better for us that we were not at all. Not that GOD is not glorified continually in his creatures: but this is spoken in respect of us. For we will needs glorify ourselves and seem great men, for we see how men believe wonders of themselves, and they be so blind that they surmise this and that of themselves. But let the children of this world esteem of themselves what they list, and advance their own glory as much as they list: yet doth GOD in one word here cut their combs, saying that their being is as though they were not at all. And it is not here only that the scripture useth such speech: for Saint Paul sayeth generally, that GOD calleth the things which are not,¹ as though they were. Ye see then how our first being is when GOD calleth us to the knowledge of his trueth: according whereunto Saint Paul saith in an other place,² that our being is of God in Jesus Christ, insomuch that we have nothing at all before that time, because there is nothing in us but corruption. Seeing the case standeth so, men can not look for any thing but eternal death, until God have reached them his hand, and gathered them home to himself. That is the thing which we have to remember in this text where it is said, that God would provoke the Jews to jealousy by a people which were no people.

Nowe let vs proceede to that which Moses addeth, namely: That GOD did then rayse vppe a people which was no people, and a Nation which was no Nation. By these words we be doone to vnderstande, that vntill such time as GOD hath chosen vs, and drawen vs to the knowledge of his trueth: it is all one as if we were not at all. True it is that Gods setting of vs in this worlde is not a benefite to be despised, neither doeth he set vs heere as Asses, Oxen, and Dogges: but as reasonable creatures, and he putteth his image into vs. Inestimable is the benefit which he doeth vs therein: but yet for all that, forasmuch as we be corrupted in Adam, and all of vs are accursed; insomuch that sinne doeth so reigne in vs, that the Image of GOD is wiped out, and the vnderstanding which we weene our selues to haue is but brutishnesse, and our hearts are turned vpside downe, so as there is nothing but rebelliousnesse in vs: therefore it is sayde that wee bee not worthy to bee counted a people, that is to say, it were better for vs that wee were not at all. Not that GOD is not glorified continually in his creatures: but this is spoken in respect of vs. For we will needes glorifie ourselues and seeme great men, for wee see howe men beleeue wonders of themselues, and they be so blinde that they surmise this and that of themselues. But let the children of this worlde esteeme of themselues what they lyst, and aduaunce their owne glorie as much as they list: yet doth GOD in one worde heere cut their combes, saying that their beeing is as though they were not at all. And it is not heere onely that the scripture vseth such speech: for Saint Paul sayeth generally, that GOD calleth the thinges which are not,