Sermons on Deuteronomy, Sermons · Sermon 36
On Wednesday the xxvj. of Iune. 1555. The xxxvj. Sermon which is the seuenth vponupon the fifth Chapter.
16 Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commaunded thee, that thy dayes may be prolonged, and that it may goe well with thee in the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee.
NOwe wee bee come to the second table of the Lawe, where GOD sheweth vsus howe wee ought to liue one with another. For as hath bene touched heretofore, there are two principall thinges in our life, first that wee serue God purely, and afterward that wee liue honestly and vprightly with other men, yeelding euerie man his due. Nowe like as the honour of God excelleth all thinges that concerne man: so was it meete that the rule thereof should bee set downe in first and chiefe place, that wee might honour him as wee ought to doe: which thing is dispatched in the first table. Here therefore GOD beginneth to tell vsus howe to direct our life,Psal. 16. Deut. 30.19 20. if wee intend to serue him as in respect of men. Also I hauehave shewed you that God requireth not any honour at our handes for that he hath neede of it or is euer the better for it: but hee doeth it for our benefite and welfare. Nowe then his intent is to trie our obedience, and the louelove that wee beare him, by commaunding vsus to behaue our selues vprightly and honestly towardes our neighbours, and to liue togither in such fellowship and concord, as none of vsus bee giuen to himselfe, but all of vsus communicate togither, and euerie man straine and imploye himselfe to doe good, according to such power and abilitie as they hauehave. That (say I) is the proofe to knowe if wee worshippe him with our heartes. For wee may well make many faire countenances and Ceremonies: but God will not take them for payment.Matt. 23.23 And euen that is the cause why our Lorde Iesus Christ saieth, that the chiefe pointes of the Law are Iustice, Iudgement, vprightnesse, and faith▪ that is to say faithfulnesse or trustinesse, for so doeth the woorde Faith betoken there. Then if wee liue vprightly among men, so as wee bee neither guilefull nor malicious, but desirous to serue euerie mannes turne, maintaining the good and resisting the euill as neere as wee can: it is the chiefe point of the Lawe. Not that the seruice of God ought to bee forgotten in the meane while, or that it is of lesse importaunce: but bicause it is vnpossible for men to discharge their duetie towardes their neighbours, if they bee not led by the feare of God.
Now let vsus treate of the forerehearsed commaundement, which is of the honouring of our father and mother. Although mention bee made here of father and mother by name: no doubt but he meant to deliuer a generall doctrine for the honouring of all Superiours. For proofe whereof,Psal. … wee knowe that the Lawe is a perfect rule wherein nothing is wanting. But if there were nothing included concerning other superiours, as Princes, Magistrates, and such as hauehave the sworde of Iustice, and Maisters: there were some want. Therefore it is to bee concluded, that here GOD hath commaunded the honoring and obeying of all such as are in degree of superioritie.Rom. … Moreouer seeing it is so that all preheminence commeth of GOD, and that it is an order set by him, without the which the worlde coulde not continue: what a thing were it that God shoulde hauehave made none account of it, in giuing vsus the sure fourme of good and holy life? It is not to bee thought straunge, that he shoulde comprehend all vnderunder one particular: for I hauehave tolde you alreadie, that that maner of dealing is to bee found in the Law, and wee shal see more of it againe hereafter. Neither was that doone bicause GOD coulde not hauehave spoken otherwise: but bicause it was best for our commoditie and instruction. For we know that although men couet to seeme suttle and sharpewitted: yet they cease not to shroud themselues vnderunder the couert of ignorance, when they see that Gods lawe presseth them: for then wee woulde faine hauehave some excuse to exempt vsus from the subiection thereof. Now if Gods Lawe were not meete to teach the rude & vnlearned:Psal. 19.8. many would alledge that they be no clarkes, and that they neuer went to schoole, and so they woulde beare themselues in hande, that Gods Lawe bounde them not. But in asmuch as we see that God hath stooped to our rudenesse, and spoken grosly according to our vnderstanding: it bereaueth vsus of all excuse, and cutteth off all occasion of quarelling, so as eueryevery of vsus must be fa…e to submit our selues, and to acknowledge that there is none other impediment, but that wee be stubborne against God, and loth to beare his yoke. Thus ye see that Gods comprehending of all vnderunder one particular, was to traine vsus on as little children, which are not of full capacitie to bee taught throughly and perfectly. Neuerthelesse, that is the true and natural sense of the text, as we shall see hereafter. For like as God gaue the tenne Sentences, as hee termeth them: so added he an exposition of them, to the ende that nothing shoulde bee darke, nor men call the thinges in question and disputation which they had hearde. Wee see then that God hath opened himselfe more fullie, and shewed howe his will is, that not onelyonly fathers and mothers, but also all superiours without exception shoulde be obeyed.
Besides this, let vsus marke that God speaketh here of the honouring of fathers and mothers, of purpose to drawe vsus by meanes most conuenient and agreeable to our nature. Wee knowe there is such pride in men, as they bee loth to sloope one to another, and euerie man thinkes hee ought to bee a master. And surely it is harde for men to yeelde and come downe so lowe, as simply to obey those that are in any authoritie ouer them: vntill GOD hauehave reclaymed them. GOD therefore perceiuing subiection to bee a thing so sore against our nature: hath set vsus downe the termes of Father and Mother, to drawe vsus to it by a more louing manner. Nowe it is an owgly and vnnaturall thing, that the childe shoulde not know those by whom he came into the world, and by whom he was nourished and brought vp. Therefore if the childe disdaine his father or his mother: he is a monster, & euerie man wil abhorre him. And why? For without Gods speaking, without hauing any holye scripture, without much preaching vntounto vsus, nature it selfe sheweth vsus, that the duetie which the childe oweth to his father and mother, is such a one as cannot bee broken off. Wee see then that the intent of our God, is to winne vsus to himselfe by setting downe the termes of father and mother to the end we should not be stubborn, but come meekly to receiue the subiection that he layeth vponupon vsus.…. 13.1. And because all the authoritie which men hauehave proceedeth from him, he speaketh according to the Lawe of ciuill order: meaning t…t we shoulde be diligent in doing him his due honour, and eueryevery of vsus on his owne behalfe obey those that hauehave superioritie ouer vsus,Ep 6.1.…. Col. …0.22. 1. Pet. 2.18. and euerie man hauehave an eye to his owne state and calling, so as the children honour their fathers and mothers, the people the Magistrates, and seruants likewise their masters: and to be short, that there be a good harmonie of concorde among vsus, according to the order that our Lorde hath set, which ought to be inuiolable.
Furthermore whereas here is mention made of honour: it is not ment that children shoulde but onelyonly speake fayre to their father and mother, or put off their Cappes or bow their knees to them: for God staieth not vponupon such things: but Honouring importeth much more, that is to wit, that the children should follow their fathers and mothers counsell, that they shoulde suffer themselues to bee ruled by them, that they shoulde straine themselues to doe their duetie to them, and to bee short, that they shoulde knowe that they be not at their owne libertie, so long as they hauehave father and mother. That is in effect the thing that God ment by the worde, Honour. And that it is so, we cannot hauehave a better or faithfuller interpreter of this law, than the holy Ghost which spake by the mouth of Moses, and of all the Prophets, and also of S. Paul. For we shall see hereafter,Deut. 21.18.20. that God expoundeth the effect of this sentence, that is to witte, that it is not ynough for children to shewe some reuerence with the heade or with the knee to their parentes: but that they must bee subiect to them, and imploy themselues in their seruice to the vttermost of their power.Eph 6.1. Col. 3.20. And Saint Paules auoching thereof is not to exhort vsus to obserue some ceremonie. but his meaning is that children▪ shoulde bee subiecte to their Fathers and mothers. He setteth downe expresly the worde Subiection. So then we see now what this importeth, and what the natural meaning of this place is.
Nowe let vsus returne to the thing that I touched briefely before, that wee may profite by it, by gathering some profitable lesson of it. First and formost let children vnderstande, that seeing GOD hath giuen them fathers and mothers, it is good reason that they shoulde obey them, or else they shewe themselues to bee despisers of God: and the stubbornenesse which they vse to their superiors, concerneth not men nor mortall creatures, but is all one as if Gods maiestie and glorie were troden vnderunder foote.Matt. 23.9. It is saide that (to speake properly) wee hauehave but one father, which is in heauen: and that is ment, not onelyonly in respect of our soules, but also in respect of our bodies. Nowe then this honor of bearing the name of Father, belongeth peculiarly to GOD alone, and cannot agree to men, furtherforth than it pleaseth him to make them partakers thereof. Seing then that the title of father is as a marke which God hath set vponupon men: wee see that when children make no account of their fathers and mothers, they doe wrong vntounto God. As much is to bee saide of all …ch as disobey their princes & magistrates: …d likewise of seruants that would hauehave all degrees confounded, and raigne without order. And for the same cause also did the Heathen mē apply this worde Godlinesse to that honour that wee giuegive to fathers and mothers, and to all such as are in authoritie ouer vsus. Godlinesse (to speak properly) is the reuerence that wee owe vntounto God: and yet the heathen, (notwithstanding that they were blinde wretches) knew that God will bee serued, not onelyonly in his owne maiestie, but also by our obeying of such folke as hauehave authoritie ouer vsus: To be short his will is to trie our obedientnesse in that behalfe. And therefore in asmuch as fathers and mothers, magistrates and all such as hauehave superioritie, are Gods Liuetenants and represent his person: surely if a man despise them and make light of them, it is all one as if he bewrayed that hee woulde not obey God. Hee may well protest the contrarie: but yet is it so in deede for all that. If the wretched infidels knew this, & that God left thē such an affection: what excuse will there be for vsus, if wee knowe it not yet better? Sith we heare that all fatherhoode proceedeth of God, (as Saint Paul auoweth,Eph. 3.15.) and that we be directed thither by the vnion of Iesus Christ: hauehave wee not a most expresse declaration of it? Must the heathen men bee faine to bee our teachers still? But if those which call themselues Christians, doe playe the blinde beetles in this behalfe, or stoppe their eares least they might vnderstande the thing that GOD hath tolde them by sillie ignorant soules:Rom. 13.2. woe worth them, for their condemnation wil be the more horrible. Wherfore let vsus well marke this: that wee cannot indeede liue heere belowe on the earth together, except this order that God hath established be holily and religiously kept, that is to say: Except those that bee in authoritie bee honoured, esteemed, and obeyed: verily without that, there wilbe nothing but horrible confusion. They then that cannot finde in their hearts to be subiect to magistrates, they that disobey their fathers and mothers, they that will beare no yoke of masters and mistresses, doe well shewe that it is not long of themselues that the whole order of nature is not peruerted, and heauen and earth confounded together as they saye. For that is the onelie meane whereby it is Gods will to preserue mankind. And of a trueth we see that (as he himselfe saith) when he sendeth magistrates and princes, he striketh a feare of them,1. Pet. 2.14. Dan. 2.30. not onelyonly into men, but also into beastes. After that maner is it spoken of in Daniel.
And therevppon wee may gather, that such as rise against the ciuill magistrate ordeined of god, and labour to set thinges in a broile and to bring all thinges to confusion, are worse than brute beasts and worthie to be sent thither to school…. For our Lorde, to shame men which are reasonable creatures, saieth that the feare of princes and magistrates ought to extende euen to brute beastes. Is it not apparant then, that the diuell possesseth all such as cannot finde in their hearts to submit themselues meekely to the subiection which God hath ordeyned, and without the which all must needes perish and goe to hauocke in this worlde, as I hauehave declared afore? Yes: and therefore if wee finde our selues ouerhighminded, so as it greeueth vsus to be subiect let vsus striue against pride, and let Gods authoritie suffice to bridle vsus. For though wee were worse than wild: yet ought this to bee as a fetter vntounto vsus, that wee heare how God telleth vsus he is not honoured at our hande, except we honor him in the persons of those whome hee hath set in his place, and in whom hee hath printed his image. To be short, wee see that charitie beginneth at the humbling and meekening of our selues, so as none of vsus aduance himselfe through pride and presumptiō, nor make too great account of him selfe, but be willing to stoope and to yeeld to what soeuer pleaseth God. And for the same cause doeth Saint Paul bring vsus back to charitie, when he setteth forth the commaundement of obeying the Magistrate.Rom. 13.… For hee sheweth vsus that if wee hauehave not the meekenesse in vsus to bow down our neckes, when our Lorde layeth the yoke vppon vsus: we hauehave no louelove towards our neighbors. And if we couet disorder and turmoile, so as the superiors should no more be reuerenced: al must needes goe to hauocke and spoile. It were much better for euerie man to liue alone by himselfe and without companie: than to see such confusion as woulde growe of it, if we should not keepe the ciuill order which GOD hath set. Wherefore let vsus beare well in minde, that if we will liue among neighbours, euerie of vsus must pull downe this loftinesse and ouerweening, and not harbrough it in our heartes, but learne to be lowly and meeke, assuring our selues that it is our duetie to submit our selues euen to the meanest,Rom. 12.… Eph. 4.… 5.21. as S. Paul saith. And that we may the better doe it, let vsus consider what may enhable vsus thereto. For behold, the thing that makes vsus ouershoote our selues, is that eueryevery man woulde hauehave greater preheminence than God alloweth him: for our blindnesse maketh vsus to forget our selues. And besides this we knowe not our owne wretchednesse and sinfulnesse. By reason whereof eueryevery of vsus thinkes himselfe a marueilous fellowe, wheras indeede he is nothing at all. Again, wee bee so inclined to make no reckening of our neighbours, that wee despise euen the vertues which God hath put into them. Then is it spitefulnes and churlishnes that prouoke vsus to pride, by meanes whereof euerie man takes more vppon him than becommeth him. And that is the cause why wee cannot submit our selues as wee ought to do. But insteed of doing so, let vsus learne to do homage to our God, forasmuch as we see he hath commanded vsus to obey our superiors, & againe we knowe that whatsoeuer they bee, it is he that hath giuen vsus them. If a child hauehave a father or a mother, he must not say, Tush, my father is not altogether such a one as hee ought to be, I finde defaultes in him. But yet is hee thy father, and that ought to content thee: at least wise if thou minde not to bring all to naught, and vtterly to deface the order of nature. Either the thing that God hath ordained must be disanulled and adnihilated: or else thou must honour thy father whatsoeuer he be. And why? Because that whatsoeuer father thou hast, hee is of his giuing which hath commaunded thee to honor thy father and thy mother. As much is to bee saide of Masters, Princes, and all superiors. For they come not by haphazard: but they bee of Gods sending,Rom. 13.1. Iob 12.18. 1. Tim. 2.2. …. Pet. 2.14. as S. Paul auoweth, and as all the scripture witnesseth. Yea and we bee led expresly euen by experience, to knowe Gods prouidence and fatherly care towardes vsus, in ordeyning of Magistrates. Therefore let vsus learne to behold Gods goodnesse, in all such as hauehave superioritie ouer vsus, to the ende to submit our selues obediently vntounto them. Thus yee see what wee hauehave to remember.
Now seeing that so it is that God hath in one worde and in a briefe summe giuen vsus heere the rule of obedience to all superiors: let vsus marke that in so doing he resigneth not his owne right ne forgoeth that which belongeth to himselfe. Therefore God must holde still the highest degree. And indeede seeing that all fatherhoode proceedeth of him, (according to S. Pauls text afore alledged): let vsus marke that when we obey father or mother, prince or magistrate, master or mistresse: it is done vntounto them as officers of God. God then must be honoured aboue al, and that in such sort, as the honour which we yeelde vntounto mortall men, hinder not the doing of the seruice and honour which wee owne vntounto him, but that eueryevery of vsus indeuer to discharge our dueties chiefly towards him. It were a goodly sight to see a man obey an vnderofficer, & therewithall to spitte in the face of the iudge or of the Prince. What a dealing were that? But euen in like case is it with vsus, when we dispossesse God of his preheminence, and obey men in such sort, as in the meane while wee make no reckening of him that is aboue all. For it is against nature, that the authoritie which men hauehave, should in any wise de…ace the glorie of God. Therefore let vsus marke well, that whereas we be commaunded to obey our superiors: this exception is implyed, that the same be no derogation or impeachmēt to the right that belongeth to God, which hath beene treated of alreadie in the firste table. For wee knowe that the seruice wherewith God is honored, ought to be preferred before all things.Rphe. 6.1. And for ye same cause S. Paul minding to giuegive vsus an exposition of this text, addeth expresly that children must obey their fathers and mothers, howbeit in the Lorde. And I told you also, that the foundation whereon we ought to build, that wee may bee obedient lowly and subiect to our superiors: is to know that God is represēted in their persons. Now take me away the foundation, and must not all the whole building fall and go down to the ground? But all they yt regard not god, do take away the fundation of this doctrine: & so their proceeding is too faulty and froward.
Howebeit, this thing must as well warne them that are in autoritie, as them that are vnderunder subiection. Then if men and women hauehave children: they must vnderstand and that there is no subiection due vntounto them, except they themselues be ouerruled by God. Now then what is to be done? Let the father traine vp his childe diligently in the feare of God,Eph. 6.4. and begin himself to shew him the way. Let the mother do the like, yt God may hauehave his honor both of great & smal,1. Tim. 2.2. old and yong. Let magistrats indeuer to hauehave God serued and honored, & (as much as in them lieth) maintaine all things that may make thereto: and seeing he hath done them ye honor to make them worthie to sit in the seat that is dedicated to his maiestie, & to beare the sword yt is consecrated vntounto him: let them shewe themselues to bee his officers in deed. Seing then that he hath aduanced them to such dignitie, whereof they were not worthy: let them at the least shew that they beare autoritie in his name, & let them refer the same vntounto him. After this manner ought princes to discharge their dueties. The like ought eueryevery man to do in his owne house and family.Ephe. 6.9. Colos. 4.1. Let those to whom God hath granted the prerogatiue to hauehave menseruants & womenseruants, beare well in minde yt they themselues hauehave a Master aboue al, & that he must be so obeyed, as his whole right be reserued to him vnminished. Loe what instruction all Superiors (of what degree soeuer they be) ought to take of this that they are commāded to obey God. Furthermore when fathers & mothers and magistrats wil needs auance themselues against God with such tyranny, as to take vponupon thē that which belongeth only to god, & to turne vsus away from the obeying of him: it is an exceptiō which I hauehave set down before, for the which they ought not to be obeyed. God then must go foremost, & afterward the creatures must followe, eueryevery one in his order of aray. And in very deed, oftētimes the cause why meekenes & humility be so il kept in the world, that childrē set themselues against their fathers and mothers, and become like mad beasts: that subiects are ful of spitefulnes and rebellion: that seruants are vntrusty & stubborne: and that none of all these can by any meanes be reclaimed: is the iust punishment of God vponupon superiors, for abusing of the dignitie which God hath giuen them. For oftentimes wee see that Princes reigne not to magnifie Gods name, and to cause him to be honored as he deserueth: but cleane contrariwise they would faine make thē selues ydols, and as it were plucke God out of his seate to sit in it themselues. This is apparant: at leastwise a man may see that Princes reigne loosely: & therfore God must needs be reuēged of them. What zeale or minde hauehave fathers and mothers to bring vp their childrē in the feare of God? They passe not for that, so they may aduance them to the worldwarde. Nay rather it should seeme that their intent is to traine them vp in all vngodlynesse, and in the contempt of God and his worde. If the fathers bee woolues, they would hauehave their children wooluish: if they be olde Foxes, they would hauehave them to be foxish: & if they be serpentes, they would hauehave their linage and ofspring like themselues. This is to be seene. Therefore it is good reason that GOD should be reuenged of the creatures, when they forget themselues after that sort, specially when men consider not howe God hath reached them his hande to aduaunce them, and to make them partakers of his honour, one vnderunder another. This is alwayes to bee borne in rememberance. But is it not a shamefull vnthankfulnesse, when a man that is in authority of iustice, considereth not with himselfe: what am I? Beholde, I am a wretched worme of the earth, and yet GOD vouchsafeth me to beare his name as from him selfe, and withal to put the authoritie in practise which hee hath giuen me▪ Is not a man too vnthankfull when hee acknowledgeth not that? Againe, when fathers consider not: Beholde, God is the father of all mankinde, and yet hath hee giuen mee the same honorable title: Therefore it is good reason that I shoulde looke to yeelde him an account of it▪ When masters and mistresses acknowledge not: We be no better than other folkes, and yet hath God vouchsafed to inhonour vsus, not onelyonly by creating vsus after his owne image, but also by giuing vsus this moreouer, that others are subiect vntounto vsus: if men (say I) acknowledge not this: is it not to be said that they be become starke beastes?
Then let vsus marke well, that diuers times the ground of rebellion & disobedience is this, that they which are in authoritie knowe not their owne duetie, namely that aboue al thinges they should finde the meanes to hauehave God honored, serued, and obeyed. True it is that children, subiects and seruants shall not bee excused by that:1. Pet. 2.18. but yet we see it is the iust vengeance of God, & therefore so much the more ought we to be prouoked to followe that which is told vsus, as well in this text as in all the holie Scripture, where this commandement is declared vntounto vsus. Then to be short, let vsus be wel aduised, that we dischardge our dueties euerie of vsus in his owne calling and state. Let those to whome God hath done the honor to giuegive them the mace of Iustice & whom he hath set in his seate, be wel aduised that they reigne in his name, that they cause all men to serue and honour him, that they be as mirrours to giuegive good example to their people, and yt they holde their subiects in such good awe and order, as Gods name bee blessed, and the mouthes of all euill speakers be stopped. Marke that for one point.
Againe let fathers and mothers hauehave a care to bring vp their children wel, and to make them knowe God for their onelyonly father. And as touching their menseruantes and womenseruants, let them so vse their seruice, as God hauehave always the preheminence. Let them not followe the common trade: for men doe commonly passe for nothing else, so as they may bee serued to their owne profite and contentation▪ As for God, he is forgotten all the while. But let masters vnderstande, that God must reigne both ouer themselues and ouer those that are vnderunder them. Thus much concerning those that are in authoritie.
Now for our part, let vsus beare wel in minde, yt when we hauehave Magistrates, if wee rebell against them, or rise against the State, indeuouring to ouerthrowe the order that God hath set:Rom. 13.2. wee resist not mortall creatures, but it is God whom we assaile. And what can we winne by making warre against him? Can we ouermaster him? No: but he will reuenge himselfe without handiestrokes, so as men shalbe vtterly abashed, to see howe he maintaineth the thing that hee had spoken with his mouth, yea euen by wonderfull power. Thus much concerning the first point.
Againe let children beware that they bee not highminded, nor wildheaded, nor wilfull, but that they submit themselues quietly to their fathers and mothers, assuring themselues that they fight against God, when they cannot finde in their heartes to stoope to the yoke which our Lorde putteth vppon them.Eph. … And let seruauntes knowe that if they refuse the subiection of the men whom they serue, God is offended at it, and in the end they must bee blamed for refusing to be gouerned by his hand.
But let vsus marke herewithall, that God muste be honoured first, and the subiectes must so obey their Princes and Magistrates, as the same may be no derogation to the right that God reserueth to himselfe, as he is worthie. And if Princes will needs inforce vsus to doe euill, and ouerthrowe the pure doctrine of God, (as we see too commonly in the worlde, insomuch that a number are so madde as they woulde faine wrest religion after their owne fancie, to make as it were an image of wax of it, that they might writh it which way they listed, as all men may see): God will not like of it that they shoulde bee obeyed in that behalfe. For who bee they? When they once reuolt and climbe aboue him that hath all soueraine Dominion:Esa. … Phil. … forthwith they forgoe all their authoritie. The verie diuels must bow their knees before God and our Lorde Iesus Christ: and beholde, mortall men vsurpe such superioritie, as the honour of God is defaced and all religion thrust downe. So then let vsus learne to obey both princes and fathers and mothers in such wise, as God may holde still his right vnimpayred, and wee not be letted to yeelde him his due honour. Neuerthelesse we must obey them quietly, so farre forth as wee may without hurt of conscience. And although that such as hauehave authoritie ouer vsus discharge not their duetie: yet must not children misbehaue themselues when their parents are too sharp and rigorous to them. True it is that the parentes are forbidden to vse any crueltie towards their children,Eph. … Col. … & specialy to discorage them: but yet for all that though the parents bee not so well aduised as to gouerne their children with mildenesse: the children must beare it patiently. Finally wee must suffer at the handes of all such as hauehave authoritie ouer vsus. And so yee see what God ment to set out in this commaundement.
Nowe hee addeth a promise. That thy dayes (saith hee) may bee prolonged, and that thou maist prosper in the Lande which the Lorde thy God giueth thee. But there is yet one thing more: which is, that forasmuch as we be loth to yelde our selues to humilitie: God giueth vsus here a stroke with the spurre, saying: thy God commaundeth thee. And it serueth to confirme the doctrine that I hauehave touched alredie: that is to wit, that it is but a fond & trifling shift, to dispute whether such as are in state of honour aboue vsus, doe deserue to hauehave that roome: Or whether they do discharge their dutie, as well as they are aduanced therto. All such geere must bee laide aside. And why? For wee must holde vsus contented with Gods ordinance, and rest altogether vppon his good pleasure. And that is ye cause why Moses addeth here expresly, according as the Euerlasting thy God hath commaunded thee. As if he shoulde say, true it is that men doe alwayes kicke against it as much as they can. If one woulde bring them vnderunder awe, they will not abide it by their good will: Againe they hauehave such loftinesse in them, as prouoketh them continually to bee desirous to exalt themselues too much. By meanes whereof there will neuer be any willing subiection, vntill God hauehave wrought it. But you be alwayes rebellious against God (saith hee) when yee once enter into such debatings as this: Shoulde such a one raigne ouer mee, and I obey him, seeing hee is no better than I? If yee beare such spite towardes men: God himselfe steppeth forth, and desireth to knowe whether yee will serue him or no: And if yee will not receiue his leeuetenantes when hee sendeth them vntounto you: it is a certaine signe that yee refuse his yoke likewise, by meanes wherof his iustice is impeached, and hee feeleth himselfe to bee iniuried by you. Sith it is so then, knowe yee (saieth Moses) that the children which are disobedient to their fathers and mothers, may well alledge this and that: and the folke that rebell against their superiors, may well make excuses: but none of those thinges shall stande them in any steede. The reason is, that God, who hath ordeined superioritie in the worlde, will also hauehave it maintained: hee hath spoken the word, and it cannot be called backe.Psal. 3 9.10. When God hath once giuen his definitiue sentence, it is not for vsus to call the matter in question any more: but we must stand to it and holde our mouthes shut. Yet notwithstanding, our Lorde vseth still his goodnesse in this commaundement: and he doeth it to winne vsus and to drawe vsus the better to him, that wee might the willinglyer obey our superiors, seeing he addeth a promise. For (as saieth S. Paul) it is the first commaundement of the lawe, that hath any speciall promise.Eph. 6.2. In deede wee hauehave seene heretofore, how God sheweth merciemercy in a thousand generations, to such as louelove him. And that was added to the commaundement wherein God shewed vsus, that he woulde hauehave his seruice maintained in al purenesse, without swaruing aside to idolatrie or superstition. But that promise extended to the whole Lawe, as wee sawe there: whereas this is annexed onelyonly to the commandement of obeying our fathers and mothers. For as much then as wee see it is an acceptable sacrifice to God: let such as are in subiection holde themselues to it, and not play the rebels and madde bedlems, but bowe downe their neckes and submit themselues, so as it may appeare in deede that they bee willing to obey GOD, because they refuse not to obey the mortall men whom he hath sent, and appointed in his name. Thus yee see to what purpose this promise was giuen: namely, that God perceiuing vsus to bee dull vppon the spurre, ment to soften our hearts, and to winne vsus to him by mieldnesse and gentlenesse, to the intent it should not grieue vsus nor be yrkesome to vsus to obey our superiors. But forasmuch as all cannot bee dispatched at this present: Let vsus beare in minde at a worde, that to serue God wel, we must lay down al pride and presumptuousnes. Although we hauehave naturally in vsus the cursed roote of desirousnes to climbe, so as ambition reigneth both in great and smal: yet must the same bee laide downe, if we meane to prepare our selues to Gods seruice. And why? For lowlinesse is the thing whereat the true obedience must beginne. And as concerning men, let vsus marke well that we shal neuer bee able to liue in peace and concorde, except that those whom God hath set in place of authoritie and preheminence, bee obeyed and receiued for his sake, so as men submit themselues to them. For else all must needes goe to wrecke, and wee shalbee worse than the wilde beastes that are abroade in the woods. Therefore al they yt are disobedient to lawful superioritie, are as enemies to God and nature, and to all mankind: yea they be as monsters whom al men ought to abhorre.
But when wee hauehave shewed our obedientnes by being subiect to those whom God hath set ouer vsus: let vsus learne also, that it is good reason wee shoulde be humbled vnderunder him, and that in such wise,Iohn 4.24. 1. Tim. 1.5. as hee bee serued by vsus: not in way of ceremonie, but in trueth and purenesse of minde, so as wee doe him his due homage, and make account of his honor aboue al things. Yea and all the ciuill orders of the worlde must leade vsus therevnto: namely that God may hauehave his throne exalted aboue the heauens. And whereas children obey their fathers and mothers, and subiectes their Magistrates, and the like order is to bee seene in euerie house according to Gods ordinance, who hath appointed that there shoulde be some difference of degrees euerie where: Let the same drawe vsus vp higher, to consider that God who holdeth the chiefe soueraintie of the worlde, ought to ouerrule all creatures, and to be Master of our whole life in effect. And so wee see that all the obedience which is yeelded to mortall creatures must tend to the pure worshipping of God. Whereby we perceiue the more plainly howe much we ought to abhorre the cursed Popedome. For it is an ouerstatelinesse crept vp in the worlde, to none other end than to driue God out of his seate, & to bereaue him of the honor yt belongeth to him. For the Pope will graunt well ynough that hee ought to bee subiect to his Superiors: But what thoe? Keepeth hee any order either of God or of nature? No: but cōtrariwise his meaning is to despise al that is cōteined in the holy Scripture, ouerthrowing all the order and policie that God hath commaunded vsus. Hee termeth himselfe Christs Vicar: and yet notwithstanding the worlde seeth, that hee hath thrust Iesus Christ out of his seate, so as hee is no more the heade of his Church. Therefore let vsus learne to abhorre the thing, which the diuell hath so set vponupon the contrarie part, quite and cleane against that which God hath ordeined in the worlde. And therewithall though wee see that sometimes thinges goe not as they ought to do, but that superiors abuse their power: let vsus assure our selues they cannot ouerthrowe Gods ordinance as in respect of kingdomes and Empyres, and as in respect of the grounde of Iustice: but that all those things must be mainteined still. For they hauehave their foundation of God: and it is not with them as with this hellish Popedome which hath no foundation at all: but contrariwise wee knowe that God will hauehave kinges and princes and magistrates of Iustice to continue still: and therfore those must needes bee maintained. And if the fathers doe not their duetie, but vse tyrannie towardes their children: let vsus bee sorie for it, and assure our selues that the same springeth of our sinnes. Also when God suffereth his ordinance to bee vnobserued, so as all is out of order: let vsus vnderstande that wee ought to runne vntounto him the more carefully, and to beseech him to set those things in order againe, so as it may bee knowen that our whole desire is to be gouerned by him, as the onelyonly meane whereby hee worketh our welfare.
Nowe let vsus kneele downe in the presence of our good God with acknowledgement of our faults, praying him to vouchsafe to make vsus feele them better, that wee may with true repentance learn to mislike of our selues for them, and so returne vntounto him as we may profite more & more, euen vntill we be rid of al our sinnes & throughly fashioned againe like to him in righteousnes. And so let vsus all say, Almightie God heauenly father, &c.