Sermons upon Deuteronomy

For as long as we provoke his wrath, all things must needs go against us. That is the thing which we have to gather upon this place. And we must not think that we have profited any whit, when we have put God out of our mind, or when we have turned our backs upon him for a time, as these scorners do which in such times do take their pleasure in sporting with GOD at the full. Therefore let not us deal so hardheartedly: for there is not a worse thing than to have rocked our consciences asleep after such a fashion, that we have no more remorse nor heartbiting in us. But let us set our minds to have peace with God, that is to say to resort unto him in such wise, as we may feel him to be our father and seek to stay our selves upon his goodness, that our so doing may keep us in rest. Thus ye see in effect how we have to apply this word Fear or Terror, wherewith Moses threateneth here the transgressors of Gods law, and such as stand against him to the uttermost.

For as long as wee prouoke his wrath, all thinges must needes goe against vs. That is the thing which wee haue to gather vppon this place. And we must not thinke that wee haue profited anie whit, when wee haue put God out of our minde, or when wee haue turned our backes vppon him for a time, as these skorners doe which in such times doe take their pleasure in sporting with GOD at the full. Therefore let not vs deale so hardheartedlie: for there is not a worse thing than to haue rocked our consciences asleepe after such a fashion, that wee haue no more remorse nor heartbiting in vs. But let vs set our mindes to haue peace with God, that is to say to resort vnto him in such wise, as we may feele him to bee our father and seeke to stay our selues vppon his goodnes, that our so doing may keepe vs in rest. Thus yee see in effect howe wee haue to applie this worde Feare or Terrour, wherewith Moses threateneth here the transgressors of Gods law, and such as stand against him to the vttermost.

He saith further that God will destroy even the sucking babes, and the old men which are already grey headed, so as he will not spare, neither sex nor age nor any thing else; for he speaketh of young folk and of maids that are to be married. Now (as I said afore) we must not think it strange that God should use such severity: but we must call to mind the unreformable stubbornness which was in the people afore. For we know that Moses wrote this song to show the people their malicious and froward nature, yea and utterly unamendable: in so much that when God had by all means uttered his goodness and mercy towards them, they drew all to the worst, and showed themselves too too unthankful, shrinking continually away from him, and marring themselves with superstition and Idolatry, so as the Prophets straining themselves to the uttermost, could not bring them back again into the right way. Is it then any wonder that GOD after so long waiting should use so great extremity as we see? No. For after that GOD had winked at them, their iniquity came to the full growth, according to the fore alleged text of Genesis which saith,