Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now let us return to the matter which we began withal: that is to wit, that although GOD chastised Moses by bereaving him of a temporal benefit: yet was that no impeachment to his salvation. And so meaneth he by these words, Be contented, and speak no more to me of this matter. In saying be contented: he doeth him to understand that he hath wherewith to content him, forasmuch as God is still merciful to him, & acknowledgeth him for one of his, and taketh him still as of his household, & casteth him not out of his kingdom. Seeing that all these things abide unto him still: he showeth him that he ought to rest without grieving of himself overmuch. And it is a very notable and profitable point: namely, that we ought not to be too sorrowful and grieved out of measure, so long as GOD bereave us not of the substance of our salvation. We hear what answer Saint Paul had,¹ when he was afflicted, yea and even buffeted by Satan, and God had cast him down in such sort, that he was as one at the point to be trodden under foot. Now he besought God to be delivered from such temptations: but answer is made him at Gods hand, Let my grace suffice thee. GOD telleth him he will assist him, but as for the cumbrance, he must bear it still. Therefore let us learn to put a difference between the things that are of the substance of our salvation, and the appurtenances which are in deed the tokens of Gods love and goodness, but yet may be forborne of us whensoever God thinketh good, whether it be to chastise us, or to try our patience, or to any other purpose, that he deal so with us. As for example: the things that are of the substance of our salvation are these: that God forgive us our sins, that he keep us under his protection, that he dwell in us by his holy spirit, that the light which he hath given us by his Gospel be not quenched, & that we may take him for our father, to call upon him and to flee to him for refuge. So then, the substance of our salvation, is that the seed of faith abide continually in us, that God guide & govern us by his holy spirit, and that he make us feel his goodness, so as we rest thereupon. But yet for all this, many temptations may befall ⟨p. 105⟩us, yea even such as my pluck us back from calling upon God. Not that they can shut us quite out from him:

Nowe let vs returne to the matter which wee beganne withall: that is to wit, that although GOD chastised Moses by bereauing him of a temporall benefite: yet was that no impeachment to his saluation. And so meaneth he by these woordes, Bee contented, and speake no more to mee of this matter. In saying bee contented: he doeth him to vnderstande that he hath wherewith to content him, forasmuch as God is still mercifull to him, & acknowledgeth him for one of his, and taketh him still as of his housholde, & casteth him not out of his kingdome. Seeing that all these thinges abide vnto him still: hee sheweth him that he ought to rest without greeuing of himselfe ouermuch. And it is a very notable and profitable point: namely, that we ought not to be too sorrowful and grieued out of measure, so long as GOD bereaue vs not of the substaunce of our saluation. Wee heare what answere Saint Paule had,