Sermons upon Deuteronomy

True it is that if our enemies be utterly past hope of amendment, we must put them into the hand of the Judge. But until such time as there be no more hope of recovery, let us always desire their conversion unto GOD, and let us further them thereunto, by teaching them as much as we can. Therefore, to give place unto wrath, is not only to keep our hands tied up, that we do not murder men: but also to bridle our affections, so as we wish not any evil to our enemies; but rather (while they be conversant with us here beneath▪) to desire God to have pity and mercy upon them, so long as there is any hope of them.

True it is that if our enemyes bee vtterly past hope of amendment, wee must put them into the hande of the Iudge. But vntill such time as there bee no more hope of recouerie, let vs alwayes desire their conuersion vnto GOD, and let vs further them thereunto, by teaching them as much as wee can. Therefore, to giue place vnto wrath, is not onely to keepe our handes tyed vp, that wee doe not murther men: but also to brydle our affections, so as wee wish not any euill to our enemyes; but rather (whyle they be conuersant with vs heere beneath▪) to desire God to haue pitie and mercie vppon them, so long as there is any hope of them.

Let us now go forward with the saying of Moses. To me (sayeth he) belongeth Revenge and Requital, or I will requite it. For the word which Moses useth may well be translated thus: Vengeance is mine, and therefore I will requite it. As if our Lord should say, I will do my duty: for I am not as mortal men, which do often fail, pretending great titles and doing nothing in effect. Seeing then that vengeance belongeth to me, I will pay every man according as he hath deserved. And so thereupon he concludeth, That their foot shall slip in convenient time. Here Moses meant to show, that whereas God had spared the Jews, it did not therefore follow that he had quite and clean discharged them, but that his bearing with them was to see if they would at length return to him again, and that for as much as he saw them stubborn, they should catch a fall in the end, yea even in the turning of a hand. He addeth expressly: in time convenient, to show that he knoweth that it behooveth him to moderate his rods, and that it is not to be said that he foresloweth too long, when he is not hasty. And why? Because he doeth things in their due seasons. Therefore we must let him alone with the doing of his works in such measure as he listeth: we must not hast Gods vengeance after our own fancy. And he useth this comparison, That their foot shall slide, or slip. And why? For we see how the wicked misbehaving themselves against GOD, do vaunt themselves above other men, and are not contented with their own place and degree, but they suppose that without wings they can take the Moon with their teeth, as the common saying is. For as much therefore as they exalt themselves above other men, and would as it were set their feet in all folks necks, yea and that they make countenance to be no more subject to GOD himself: Moses sayeth expressly that their foot shall slip. As who would say, Think they that they shall keep their footing? Think they themselves so well rooted and grounded, that they shall never be shaken? Nay, but as it is said in the tenth Psalm,