But we see the thing that is said, namely that God doth in such wise correct his children,1 that the chastisements which he useth begin at his own house,2 and at his own household folk. Yet for all that, he thundereth not against poor sinners, but waiteth for them patiently, encouraging them, drawing them, bearing with them, setting his grace before them, and showing them that he is ready to receive them, and hath his arms stretched out to embrace them, if they will come unto him. Ye see then that the first thing which we have to consider, is that we must fashion our […] example of our God, so as we oppress […] the first dash in whom we see any infirmity, but rather labour to win them, because they ⟨p. 286⟩be as lost souls. And hereupon we may also gather, that such as nowadays would have vices cloaked, yea and borne out under pretence that God is patient and gentle, do falsely corrupt the holy scripture. For nowadays, if never so detestable crimes be committed, by and by they allege mercy, ô they must be pitied: yea, but such folk blaspheme God in that they would have us too be more merciful than he is. Surely we know him too be the welspring• of all goodness, and it is enough for us if we can follow him a great way off, and it were a thing to be greatly desired that we could come nearer and nearer unto him. But when we have strained our selves too the uttermost, it is very much if we can have in us but some little spark of the mercy which is infinite in God.3 Nevertheless God promiseth not his grace, but to such as return unto him. True it is that he toucheth them with his holy spirit, and changeth their minds: but yet must repentance always be matched with forgiveness of sins. Now after what manner is it that men would be pitiful? It is that they might mock God too his face, that men should wink at their lewdness, yea and sooth them up in it, that God should be rejected, and that such as are ready to do still worse and worse, should be borne withal and borne out. But I have told you that it is too cursed a blasphemy, when men transform good into evil after that fashion. Then according to Saint Pauls exhortation, let us learn to bring a meekness that may be of Gods spirit, not too allow of the evil, or to deface the good, but too amend things modestly with discretion.
But we see the thing that is sayde, namely that God dooth in such wise correct his children,1 that the chastizements which hee vseth begin at his owne house,2 and at his owne housholde folke. Yet for al that, he thundereth not against poore sinners, but wayteth for them paciently, incouraging them, drawing thē, bearing with them, setting his grace before them, and shewing them that he is readie to receyue them, and hath his armes stretched out to imbrace them, if they will come vnto him. Ye see then that the first thing which we haue to consider, is that we must fashion our 〈…〉 example of our God, so as we oppresse 〈…〉 the first da•he in whō we see any infirmitie, but rather labour to winne them, bycause they ⟨p. 286⟩bee as lost soules. And heerevpon we may also gather, that such as nowadayes woulde haue vyces cloked, yea and borne oute vnder pretence that God is pacient and gentle, do falsly corrupt the holy scripture. For nowadayes, if neuer so detestable crymes bee committed, by and by they alledge mercie, ô they must be pitied: yea, but such folke blaspheme God in that they woulde haue vs too bee more mercifull than hee is. Surely wee knowe him too bee the welspring• of all goodnesse, and it is ynough for vs if wee can followe him a great way off, and it were a thing to be greatly desired that we coulde come neerer and neerer vntoo him. But when wee haue streyned our selues too the vttermost, it is verie much if wee can haue in vs but some little sparke of the mercie which is infinite in God.3 Neuerthelesse God promiseth not his grace, but to suche as returne vntoo him. True it is that hee toucheth them with hys holy spirite, and chaungeth their myndes: but yet must repentance alwayes bee matched with forgiuenesse of sinnes. Now after what maner is it that men would be pitifull? It is that they might mocke God too his face, that men shoulde winke at their lewdnesse, yea and sooth them vp in it, that God should be reiected, and that such as are readie to do still worse and worse, shoulde bee borne withall and borne out. But I haue tolde you that it is too cursed a blasphemie, when men transforme good intoo euill after that fashion. Then according to Saint Paules exhortation, let vs lerne to bring a mekenesse that may be of Gods spirite, not too allowe of the euill, or to deface the good, but too amende things modestly with discretion.
- 1Heb. 12. b. 6.
- 21. Pet. 4. d. 17.
- 3Zach. 1 a. 3.
