Sermons upon Deuteronomy

For there (saith he) they shall have laws §60given them for their own tooth, and such laws as they can find in their hearts to keep: but they shall not live by them. When they have toiled themselves to the uttermost, and paid imposts and tributes to the infidels: yet shall they be fain to serve their idols too, so as they shall defile and beray themselves with all superstitions. And what shall be their reward? Everlasting death. That is the payment of all such as cannot find in their hearts to serve God quietly, and to keep his law and his word. But to the intent we may not think that this served but for that one time: Moses showeth that the like should befall to all such as misbehave themselves and withdraw themselves from the Church. And this vengeance of God hath bin accomplished upon the greater part of the world, as we see already. For whence came the hellish confusion of popery? Even of gods just punishment for the rebelliousness of the world, because men were hardhearted and would not stoop. For when God caused his Gospel to be published: then was the trumpet sounded, to the end that all men both great and small should have bin brought unto him. But we see what befell on mens behalf. They would in no wise stoop: they were very loth to do that. And not that only, but also some defied God openly when he would have brought them to his lure: and othersom made countenance of obedience through hypocrisy, but it lasted not: for they were unconstant and fled touch anon after. Therefore it behoved him to punish such spiteful wickedness, and so he did. Because they would not obey the trueth: therefore did lying get the mastery of them.¹ God gave Satan the bridle, so as his errors wrought effectually, in besotting such as had wilfully shut their eyes, against the doctrine of salvation when it was offered them. Now then sith we see that God offereth us great good nowadays in gathering us into his flock, and in giving us his word whereby we have life and salvation: let us learn to enjoy so great a benefit. For God mocketh us not when he telleth us that he is our father and Saviour. He taketh not the things with the one hand which he gave us with the other. Only let us be contented to continue still in the possession of his grace.

For there (sayth he) they shall haue lawes §60giuen thē for their own tooth, and such lawes as they can finde in their heartes to keepe: but they shall not liue by them. When they haue toyled themselues to the vttermost, and payde impostes and tributes to the infidels: yet shall they bee faine to serue their idols too, so as they shall defile and beray themselues with all superstitions. And what shalbe their rewarde? Euerlasting death. That is the payment of all such as cannot finde in their heartes to serue God quietly, and to keepe his law and his word. But to the intent wee may not thinke that this serued but for that one time: Moses sheweth that the lyke should befall to all such as misbehaue themselues and withdrawe themselues from the Church. And this vengeance of God hath bin accomplished vppon the greater parte of the world, as we see already. For whence came the hellish confusion of poperie? Euen of gods iust punishment for the rebelliousnesse of the world, because men were hardharted and would not stoope. For when God caused his Gospel to be published: then was the trumpet sounded, to the end that all men both great and small should haue bin brought vnto him. But we see what befel on mens behalf. They would in no wise stoop: they were very loth to doe that. And not that onely, but also some defied God openly when hee would haue brought them to his lure: and othersom made countenāce of obediēce through hipocrisie, but it lasted not: for they were vnconstant and fled touch anon after. Therefore it behoued him to punishe such spiteful wickednesse, and so he did. Because they would not obey the trueth: therefore did lying get the maisterie of them.