Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But it behooveth us to mark well the word that is set down here by Moses, where he sayeth that Naphtali shall have his fill of Gods favour, and that he shall be replenished with his blessing. This word Bless (as we know) is taken divers ways in the holy Scripture. Sometime it is taken for praying. As when we bless one another, it is as much to say, as we wish well one to another. And when it is attributed unto God, it is also taken for benefiting or doing good. For when God sayeth the word, the deed goeth jointly therewith. God then needeth not to wish us any good, if he do but say that he will do us good, we shall have our fill thereof, and whatsoever is expedient for our salvation. Now then, Gods blessing is a testimony and effect of the free favour, good will, and love which he beareth towards us. But yet this free love of God is as the fountain: and then his blessing is as the Conduit pipe. Therefore whensoever we receive any good or prosperity; let us assure our selves that it cometh of Gods blessing of us, that is to say, of his uttering of his favour towards us; but yet must we ever resort to that free love of his, when so ever we be so blessed at his hand. For he would give us no show of his fatherly goodness, ⟨p. 1227⟩if he had not received us already for his children. And that is the cause why he dealeth so gently and kindly with us. Moses then hath kept here a very good order, in saying that Naphtali should have his fill of Gods favour, and be replenished with his blessing. He setteth down Favour in the first place, for (as I said) that is the very wellspring: and afterward he addeth the blessing which proceedeth thereof, that is to say, the record which God yieldeth by effect, that he loveth §10us, and that he hath adopted us for his children, in respect whereof he vouchsafeth to pour out upon us all the stores & treasures of his goodness.

But it behooueth vs to marke well the word that is set downe heere by Moses, where he sayeth that Nephthalim shall haue his fill of Gods fauor, and that he shalbe replenished with his blessing. This word Blesse (as wee knowe) is taken diuers wayes in the holy Scripture. Sometime it is taken for praying. As when wee blesse one another, it is as much to say, as wee wish well one to another. And when it is attributed vnto God, it is also taken for benefiting or dooing good. For when God sayeth the worde, the deede goeth ioyntly therewith. God then needeth not to wish vs any good, if hee doo but say that hee will doe vs good, wee shal haue our fill thereof, and whatsoeuer is expedient for our saluation. Nowe then, Gods blessing is a testimonie and effect of the free fauour, good will, and loue which hee beareth towardes vs. But yet this free loue of God is as the fountayne: and then his blessing is as the Conduit pype. Therefore whensoeuer wee receiue any good or prosperitie; let vs assure our selues that it commeth of Gods blessing of vs, that is to saye, of his vttering of his fauour towardes vs; but yet must wee euer resort to that free loue of his, when so euer wee bee so blessed at his hande. For hee would giue vs no show of his fatherly goodnes,