Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Othersome come thither to sleep, so as it should seem that their meaning is to spite God openly and to spit in his face: it should seem that they be desirous to show some sign of their lewdness and beastliness, how detestable they be. To be short although they speak it not,§60 yet do they bear a mark in their foreheads for all men to behold with their eyes, that they seek to deface Gods glory to the uttermost of their power. Another sort do make countenance to hearken, and yet make but a flimflam of it (as they say). For what shall a man find in all their life? Nothing but desperate disobedience. But yet for all that, Gods word hath not changed his nature. Wherefore if we look not about us to frame our selves accordingly thereunto, we must needs come to account, for defiling so holy a thing, which GOD hath ordained to so worthy and noble an use.

Othersome come thither to sleepe, so as it should seeme that their meaning is to spite God openly and to spit in his face: it should seem that they be desirous to shew some signe of their leawdnesse and beastlynesse, how detestable they be. To be short although they speake it not,§60 yet doe they beare a marke in their foreheades for all men to beholde with their eyes, that they seeke to deface Gods glory to the vttermost of their power. Another sorte doe make countenaunce to hearken, and yet make but a flimflamme of it (as they say). For what shall a man finde in all their life? Nothing but desperate disobedience. But yet for all that, Gods worde hath not chaunged his nature. Wherefore if wee looke not about vs to frame our selues accordingly thereunto, wee must needes come to account, for defyling so holy a thing, which GOD hath ordeyned to so worthie and noble an vse.

And herewithall Moses addeth, that God requireth not any thing at our hands in respect of himself, or for any profit that he shall have by it, but for our own welfare. To the end (saith he) that thou mayst enter into the land that is given thee for thine inheritance, and possess it. Herein Moses protesteth, that God looketh not for any reward at our hands, for he hath no need of any thing: but it is for our profit, that he would have us to serve him. He could well enough forbear us: but yet is he desirous to have us, and he would that we should suffer him to govern us. Seeing then that God in all respects showeth such love and regard of our welfare: are we not worse than wild beasts if we be still hard to yield, and cannot find in our hearts to come to him but against our wills? If God should but only command us after a precise fashion, yet were we bound to do whatsoever he biddeth us: yea and although he should use the greatest rigour that could be, yet might not we refuse to do our duty towards him. But he forbeareth that authority of his, as though he yielded up some part of his right, and useth another manner of speech, [as if he should say,] you owe me all things, for ye be mine: and yet for all that, the service which you do me shall be accepted in so good worth, as ye shall perceive that I take ye for my children, ye shall feel my gracious goodness and benefits in all sorts, and to be short ye shall not loose your labour. Seeing then that God stoopeth thus unto our rudeness: ought not we to be ravished at so great goodness? And although we had all the lets in the world against us: ought it not to rid them all quite away? Otherwise, what an unthankfulness were it?