Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Ye see then that the thing which we have to remember upon this place, is that if we be of Gods flock, we shall not be destitute of any needful thing. For even as in respect of this transitory life, we shall be fed and nourished at his hand. And when we obtain sustenance at Gods hand; it is to encourage us. Let such as are poor take pains, and pray unto God to bless their labour, because it belongeth to him to sustain those that are his. Lo how the poor ought to be stirred up unto prayer. And if they have little wherewith to sustain them, let them consider that God intendeth to try their patience; and yet that in the mean while he maketh that sustenance of theirs as slender as it is, to turn into Manna, so as they be sustained therewith. Let not the rich sort be puffed up with pride, upon that they have their life in their own hand; but let them understand that it behooveth them to have recourse unto God with all their goods. For if they have not a regard of him; let them assure themselves that he can well consume the Corn in their Garners, the graft at the mill, & the batch in the Oven: yea he will consume the bread in their bellies, so as in stead of receiving nourishment by it, they have nothing but corruption. Let us know then, that God must be fain to perform that which is declared here, that is to wit, that our eye may be upon a Land of Corn and wine: and that it behooveth us to consider that it is he to whom we be beholden for all things. I grant it may fall out that we shall not have such abundance as we would wish, and as our flesh lusteth for: but yet (as I have said already) God showeth that he forgetteth not his servants; and that although he give them but a small and slender pittance; yet they have wherewith to content themselves, because they receive sustenance at his hand. Therefore as long as we be to pass through this world, let it suffice us that God vouchsafeth still to sustain us, and that in so doing he showeth himself a father towards us to the intent we should go on still, and keep on our way to the heavenly heritage whereunto he will bring us, to make us enjoy the things fully and perfectly, whereof we have knowledge as now but in part.

Ye see then that the thing which we haue to remember vpon this place, is that if we be of Gods flocke, we shall not be destitute of any needefull thing. For euen as in respect of this transitorie life, we shalbe fedde and nourished at his hande. And when we obtaine sustenance at Gods hande; it is to incourage vs. Let such as are poore take paines, and pray vnto God to blesse their labor, because it belongeth to him to susteine those that are his. Lo howe the poore ought to bee stirred vp vnto prayer. And if they haue litle wherewith to susteine them, let them consider that God intendeth to trye their patience; and yet that in the meane while hee maketh that sustenaunce of theirs as slender as it is, to turne into Manna, so as they be susteyned therewith. Let not the rich sort be puffed vp with pride, vppon that they haue their life in their owne hande; but let them vnderstande that it behooueth thē to haue recourse vnto God with all their goods. For if they haue not a regarde of him; let them assure themselues that he can well consume the Corne in their Garners, the grift at the mill, & the batch in the Ouen: yea he will consume the bread in their bellies, so as in steede of receyuing nourishment by it, they haue nothing but corruption. Let vs knowe then, that God must be faine to performe yt which is declared heere, that is to wit, that our eye may be vpon a Land of Corne and wine: and that it behooueth vs to consider that it is he to whome we be beholden for all thinges. I graunt it may fall out that wee shall not haue such abundaunce as wee would wish, and as our flesh lusteth for: but yet (as I haue sayd already) God sheweth that he forgetteth not his seruauntes; and that although hee giue them but a small and slender pittance; yet they haue wherwith to content themselues, because they receiue sustenance at his hand. Therfore as long as we be to passe through this world, let it suffise vs that God vouchsafeth still to susteyne vs, and that in so doing he sheweth himselfe a father towards vs to the intent we should go on still, and keepe on our way to the heauenly heritage whereunto he will bring vs, to make vs inioy the thinges fully and perfectly, whereof we haue knowledge as nowe but in part.