Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now the applying of this doctrine will give us yet a more easy understanding thereof. Let us consider to what end it is said: namely because it seemeth to us, that when God punisheth not the wicked out of hand, he letteth things go at all adventure, and that is the thing which troubleth us sore. When we be wrongfully afflicted on the behalf of men, and we see the Church of God to suffer many slanders and molestations: what say we? Whereon doeth God think now? Hath he not pity upon his children? We be tormented with extremity, and yet he maketh as though he saw it not. Shall the cruelty of men have such scope for ever? Should he give head to the wicked after such sort that we should always be made a pray to them? Such complaints do men make, when God doeth not out of hand punish the outrages that are done to his servants. And therefore it is said, That he will sharpen his sword, and take Judgement in his hand, as though that to hold us in patience, he should say, My friends, trouble not your selves, let not your lusts be over hasty and inordinate. For I do not this as unmindful of you. Although I suffer the wicked to do many things outrageously: it is not for that I have no regard of you, or for that I watch not for the welfare of my Church, or for that I pity not those which suffer adversity, and are so molested: but because I have my convenient times, which I dispose at my pleasure; and therefore tarry you my leisure. For the wicked shall be utterly amazed at the whetting of my sword to make war against them. Be not afraid: for although ye see it not at the first day: yet will I not fail to show my self your protector and the defender of your life. Now then we see in effect, that all this is applied to our infirmity, ⟨p. 1169⟩even thereafter as we be tossed with temptations: so that when it seemeth to us that God thinketh not any more upon us, but that he hath turned his back and is asleep in heaven: we should notwithstanding that all this fall out, take it, as though he had said: Cease not you to be patient and quiet, yea, hold your selves still till I draw my sword, for I will surely do it.

Nowe the applying of this doctrine will giue vs yet a more easie vnderstanding thereof. Let vs consider to what ende it is saide: namely because it seemeth to vs, that when God punisheth not the wicked out of hande, hee letteth thinges goe at all aduenture, and that is ye thing which troubleth vs sore. When we be wrongfully afflicted on the behalfe of men, and wee see the Church of God to suffer manie slaunders and molestations: what say wee? Whereon doeth God thinke nowe? Hath hee not pitie vppon his children? Wee bee tormented with extremitie, and yet hee maketh as though hee sawe it not. Shall the crueltie of men haue such scope for euer? Shoulde hee giue heade to the wicked after such sort that wee shoulde alwayes bee made a pray to them? Such complaintes do men make, when God doeth not out of hande punish the outrages that are doone to his seruauntes. And therefore it is saide, That hee will sharpen his sworde, and take Iudgement in his hande, as though that to holde vs in patience, he should say, My friendes, trouble not your selues, let not your lustes be ouer hastie and inordinate. For I doe not this as vnmindfull of you. Although I suffer the wicked to doe manie thinges outragiously: it is not for that I haue no regarde of you, or for that I watch not for the welfare of my Church, or for that I pitie not those which suffer aduersitie, and are so molested: but because I haue my conuenient times, which I dispose at my pleasure; and therefore tarie you my leasure. For the wicked shall bee vtterlie amased at the whetting of my sworde to make warre against them. Be not afraide: for although yee see it not at the first day: yet will I not faile to shewe my selfe your protector and the defendour of your life. Nowe then wee see in effect, that all this is applyed to our infirmitie,