Sermons on Deuteronomy, Sermons · Sermon 5
On Fryday the xij. of Aprill. 1555. The fift Sermon vponupon the first Chapter.
19 Then departed we from Horeb, and went through the wildernesse which is great and terrible, as you hauehave seene, along the way of the hil of the Amorrhytes, as the Lord our God had commaunded vsus, and we came to Cades barne.
20 And I said vntounto you, come ye to the Hil of the Amorrhytes which the Lord our God doth giuegive vsus.
21 Behold, the Lord thy God setteth the Land before thee: Goe vp and possesse it as the Lord the God of thy fathers hath saide vntounto thee. Shrinke not, neither be afraide.
IN this text Moses rehearseth, after what sort he had exhorted the people to take possession of the Lande that God had promised them, and by what meanes he would hauehave incouraged them to it. And that is to the ende that the people shoulde knowe their owne vnthankefulnesse and naughtinesse, in reiecting the benefite that was offered vntounto them, and in that they obeyed not God, but were giuen too much to their owne sensualitie. This then which Moses doth heere, is as it were an vpbraiding of the Iewes, to ye end they might knowe howe it was long of none but themselues, that they inioyed Gods blessing no sooner: and that they might afterwarde yeelde themselues more pliable, and not bee so wilfull any more in their owne frowardnesse, but simplie submit themselues to God as soone as they shoulde heare him speake. That is in effect the intent of Moses.
Neuerthelesse hee interlaceth also another matter therewithall: which is, that he telleth the people they be so much the lesse to be excused, because they had had experience of Gods goodnesse, in that he had led them with his mightie hande. For, their passing through the horrible and dreadfull desert, was not without the assistance of a singular and vnaccustomed power of God: where as they notwithstanding forgetting the goodnesse which they had felt, and which they ought to hauehave borne in minde for euer, did grudge at God, and became wilfull, and woulde not goe forwarde when he was redie to hauehave led them to the end. And that is the cause why Moses saith expresly, that they had seene. As if hee should say, you wrought euen against your naturall senses, when you went not on as your God commaunded you. The reason is this. So long as you suffered your selues to bee gouerned by his hand, and so long as you walked in the way that hee appointed you: did you not euen see with your eyes, that hee made you to ouercome all hardnesse? Was not the wildernes wherthrough you passed, a verie gulfe? And yet notwithstanding you scaped out of it. And how came that to passe, but by the wonderfull working of your God among you? Seeing yt you heard his voyce, you were sure that hee was come among you. Then said I vntounto you, now is there no more for vsus to doe, but to inioy the lande which our God hath assigned to vsus for our heritage. Goe, let vsus fight, our God hath promised it vsus, and hee will not disappoint vsus. Wee knowe he hath wrought mightily for vsus hithe…to, and surely he will goe through with his worke. These and such other things did I alledge vntounto you: And yet you followed not them as you ought to hauehave done. Wherefore acknowledge your vnthankefulnesse in that you refused to enter into the inheritance which God had promised to your fathers, and which he hath prepared for you.
Nowe by the way, the first good lesson that wee hauehave to gather here, is that forasmuch as God hath alredie vttered his goodnes towards vsus in making vsus to feele his blessing: wee be the more worthy to be blamed, if we rest not wholly vponupon him, or put not our whole trust in him to walk on boldly & without douting. For although God had neuer shewed himselfe to our experience: yet ought wee to giuegive credite to his holie worde. And it is good reason that we shoulde do him the honour to beleeue whatsoeuer he saith or speaketh vntounto vsus: for as much as he is faithfull, and his worde is better tryed than either gold or siluer,Psal. 12.7. as it is saide in the Psalme. And therefore if there were no more but Gods vttering of his worde with his owne mouth: it were ynough to condemne the whole world for their disobeying thereof. But seeing that God hath confirmed his sayings by deeds, and hath shewed vsus as it were to our eyesight, that his making of his promises vntounto vsus is not in vaine, but hee hath made vsus to feele the thinges with our hands; so as we know in effect what his power is, and that it neuer faileth those which are his: if after all this teaching we fall to checking still, and be so stiffenecked as we will not bow to submit our selues to the thinges that hee speaketh, nor hauehave any will to obey him: I pray you doth not the greater condemnation lye vppon vsus? What is to be done then? Let eueryevery of vsus consider aduisedly the good turnes that God hath done him, & let him marke them and note them that hee may beare them in minde. Verie well, God hath succored mee at such a pinch, I hauehave felt his helpe in such a case, I hauehave beene ayded at his hande, and he hath made me to perceiue his mightie power after such and such fashion. After this manner must wee make rehearsall of Gods benefites, and of his helping of vsus all the time of our life. And after as hee hath vttered himselfe vntounto vsus, so must we be the more confirmed to trust to his promises, and to rest wholly vponupon them. Herew…thall let vsus be stablished in inuincible constancie, to goe which way soeuer he leadeth vsus, without feare of any distresse. Why so? For my God which hath neuer forsaken me to this day, will not giuegive me ouer now. As I hauehave felt [hertofore] that he giueth strength to those that are his: so am I sure that hee will reach me his hande and succour me still. So then there is no more for me to doe, but to commit my selfe vntounto him. I see that this thing & that thing may cumber me, there are a number of temptations which may make me turne heade: but yet forasmuch as my God hath succored me hitherto at my neede: I doubt not but hee will doe the like vntounto the ende: Thus yee see that the way for vsus to eschewe the blame of vnthankefulnesse, is to call Gods benefits oftentimes to our rememberance, thereby to strengthen our selues still in trust that he will neuer faile vsus vntounto the end. Also this wil serue to make vsus ouercome al temptations: and although the diuel hauehave neuer so many meanes and stoppes to turne vsus out of the right way, yet shall we not cease to goe on still. And why? Because the hope which wee shall hauehave gathered, of Gods former making of vsus to feele his goodnesse, will serue to carie vsus ouer all tempestes in the middes of the sea: it will be as a boate, or as a shippe, or as a bridge to conuey vsus safely ouer. To bee short, wee shall hauehave wherewith to strengthen vsus continually, so wee shutte not our eyes at the assistance which God sheweth vsus dayly. Thus you see generally what wee hauehave to gather vppon this saying of Moses. A non the matters shall bee layde out more particularly by similitudes.
Let vsus proceede to the things that he addeth: namely, that being come to the hill of the Amorrhytes, he saide, Let vsus possesse the Lande which the Lord our God and the God of our fathers promised vsus. For it is here before vsus, that is to saye, at our commaundement, as hee had said afore, for this is but a repetition of that which were hauehave seene already. And heere Moses setteth forth the promise that God had made vntounto the people, to the end to assure them of the Land in such wise, as they shoulde bee out of all doubt that it was their owne. And why? Because it had bene promised them of God. Beholde (saith he), thy God ment not to lye to thee, nor to beguile thee: and therefore thou maist assure thy selfe, that the thing which hee hath spoken shalbe performed. Marke that for one point.
Neuerthelesse, to the ende that the people may the better vnderstande, that they were not to possesse the lande for their owne deserts sake: hee telleth them expresly, It is the God of your fathers that doth it. For the Lande was promised as well to Abraham as to Isaac and Iacob, before the Iewes which then liued, were borne. Therby then are they put in minde, that they had not deserued such a benefite at Gods hande, but that it proceeded wholly of his free goodnesse. And so much the more were they to blame, in that they had felt such experience of Gods goodnesse, and their sinne also was so much the heinouser, in that they acknowledged not the merciemercy that he had vsed towards them. That then is the effect of Moseses meaning heere.
But we hauehave to note herewithal, that although the promise was then growen olde, yet had it not lost his force: neither ceased it to liue still, though Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob were deade. True it is that the promise which had beene made, was not spoken to them that were presently aliue at this time: [they to whome it was spoken] that is to wit, Abraham, and the Patriarks, were all deceased. But Gods promise & his truth die not with men, they hauehave not the course of a transitoritie and flightfull life as wee hauehave. Therefore let vsus marke well, that whereas God had promised the lande to Abraham, for him, his heires, and successors that shoulde descende of his race: although Abraham was rotten in the earth, and they that followed him together with all the Patriarks were consumed to powder and dust: yet the worde that GOD spake continued still, and forewent no whit at al of his force. This (I tell you) is a point which wee ought to marke well. For it is nowe long ago since the Lawe was giuen: so that if we hauehave an eye to the oldenesse thereof, it will seeme to vsus to bee an outworne and deade thing. About a two thousand yeares after that, the Gospel was published to the worlde: and wee see that manie yeares▪ yea many hundred yeares are passed since. Then if wee shoulde measure Gods trueth by time: wee might thinke it to bee a thing as good as buried and quite and cleane forgotten.
Moreouer they that first caryed the Gospell abrode, are deade long agoe: but yet must we beare in minde, that Gods trueth is euerlasting, and that although men be corruptible and passe and vanish away: yet the doctrine of saluation abydeth alwayes vnappayred, so as the force thereof abateth not at all. That is it (say I) which we hauehave to beare in minde. For although it was in olde time that GOD spake to Moses and the Prophetes, and although it bee nowe long agoe since the Gospel was delyuered to the Apostles: yet must we receiue the doctrine therof nowadayes, as being in full force still. And that so much the rather, in respect of this saying of the Apostle,Heb. 10.20. that our Lorde Iesus Christe hath made the way fresh by his bloude. They that liued vnderunder the Lawe and the Prophetes ought not to hauehave despised the trueth that had beene manifested to their fathers, though it was done long time before: and yet did not God discouer it so openly to them as hee doth to vsus. It is not for nought then that the Apostle saieth, that the way which Iesus Christ made, is freshe. And why sayes hee so? His meaning is, that the bloude of our Lorde Iesus Christ cannot drye nor putrifie, but is alwayes freshe in rememberance before God, to the ende that wee shoulde bee assured of his trueth, which hee hath sealed with his death and passion. Seeing then that we hauehave such a pledge, we ought to be so much the forwarder to receiue Gods truth, forasmuch as wee perceiue that the force and vertue thereof dureth for euer.
Nowe must wee marke further howe Moses saieth heere, Thy God hath promised thee the lande, It is before thee, possesse it. By these wordes he betokeneth, that wee must rest wholely vppon that which God saith, and not stande scanning after our owne fancies. For if men content not themselues with the thinges that God speaketh to them: where shall they seeke for greater certeintie? Or when they hauehave sought it, where shall they finde it? But it is an offering of too greate wrong to our GOD, when wee bee not satisfied with his vttering of his will, and with his warranting of the same vntounto vsus. For if therevppon wee bee still wauering and doubtfull: what else is such vnbeliefe, but a replying against Gods trueth as though hee were not faithful, or as though he went about to abuse vsus by alluring vsus with vaine hope? So then let vsus marke well, that all our life long wee must content our selues with Gods worde, and when we hauehave it wee must followe it without seeking any further.
For looke howe many doubtes and mistrustes wee conceiue, so many ouerthwart nippes and priuie vpbraydings doe wee giuegive vntounto GOD, as who shoulde say there were no certaintie in his saying. But wee knowe that nothing is more peculiar to him than his trueth. And so (as much as in vsus lyeth) wee make it a thing of nothing. Therefore it is a verie profitable warning when hee saieth, The Lorde thy God hath promised thee the Lande. For hee speaketh still in generall, meaning that we must all our life long hold this rule of sticking simply to the word of God. A non the things shalbe laide foorth particularly, as I saide afore.
But let vsus marke well, that Moses hauing alledged Gods promise, and hauing saide that the Lande was at the peoples commaundement, because GOD ment not to fayle in the perfourmance of the thing that hee had once promised: addeth afterwarde, Enter into it and take possession of it. Wherein hee sheweth vsus that although GOD performe in vsus al that hee hath saide: yet must not wee on our side bee idle, nor bee as blockes of wood, but wee must offer our selues to his seruice. For albeit that wee cannot stirre one finger to doe wel: yet hath GOD made vsus instrumentes whereby hee will worke.
Therefore wee must goe forwarde when hee commaundeth vsus, and wee must indeuer to apply all our members and wits to obey him. True it is (as I saide) that men are vtterly vnprofitable, yea and that their will goeth cleane backe from that which God commaundeth: but yet for all that, God ceaseth not to giuegive vsus willingnesse, and when hee hath giuen vsus willingnesse, hee giueth vsus also performance, as saint Paul auoucheth to the Philippians:Phil. 2.13. and therewithall hee maketh vsus to doe it with feare and carefulnesse. When as Saint Paul saith, Doe ye, and also, It is God that doeth: those two thinges seeme to bee contraries: but they bee not. For Gods working is in such wise, as hee imputeth to himselfe the thinges that hee doth in vsus: and yet for all that, hee will not hauehave vsus to bee slothfull and to fall a sleepe, but that euerye of vsus should indeuour himselfe. Let vsus learne then that whensoeuer God promiseth vsus any thing, it is his office to accomplishe the whole.
Neuerthelesse he will hauehave vsus to take paynes and to straine our selues, yea euen vsus which are vtterly vnprofitable. And hauing giuen vsus his power, hee will hauehave vsus indeuour to make the thing auailable which he hath bestowed vppon vsus, and to make it to bee profitable. That then is the thing which we hauehave to note here.
Howbeit, there withall there is also the conclusion which Moses maketh: namely when as hee saith, Feare not, bee not dismayed. And hereby hee doth vsus to vnderstande, that although we bee armed and fenced with Gods promises, so as wee ought to bee sufficiently resolued, that hee will guide vsus vntounto the ende: yet shall wee hauehave manie occasions to make vsus grudge and repyne, so as we might swarue aside from the right way, or vtterly forsake it, if we had not constancie to ouercome all the stoppes and lettes that the diuell thrusteth in our wayes: for of nature we be fearefull. True it is that in many things we be but too hardie. When any fond thing is to be attempted foolishly: in that case men neede not to be hartened, for they be but too bold already, to attempt this and that, & to mount aboue the cloudes as thee say. But when GOD shoulde be followed whithersoeuer hee calleth vsus: our eyes runne heere and there, vp and downe, wee bee at our wittes ende, yea and if a flye doe but whiske before our eyes or a strawe stirre at our feete: by and by wee are at a stoppe. Nowe seeing wee hauehave this vice in our nature, let vsus determine to fight on al sides against this fōd fearefulnesse, to the ende wee bee not helde backe from following God whithersoeuer hee commaundeth vsus, but that wee may ouercome all the temptations of Satan, though he bee neuer so wylie in forging and framing of innumerable occasions in that behalfe, to turne vsus away from our calling. And therefore let vsus marke this warning giuen to the Iewes by Moses. For it is a warning to vsus as well as it was to them, that it is vnpossible for vsus to come thither as god calleth vsus, if wee ouercome not this fearefulnesse and dismayednesse, that is to say, if wee fight not against all the incumberances that sathan can set before our eyes to make vsus afraide. Therefore it standeth vsus on hande to bee armed with strength from aboue. Thus you see howe wee ought to apply this streyne to our instruction.
Nowe the thinges will bee the plainer and better vnderstoode, if we make a similitude betweene the lande that was promised to the children of Israel, and the kingdome of God whereunto wee bee called. For in good sooth, the land of Chanaan was but as a figure & earnest-penny of the kingdome of heauen. Had the auncient fathers setled their mindes vppon the lande which they sawe: they had had a verie poore rest and weake stay, for in verie deede they inioyed it not of all their life, they did but onelyonly trauell through it as straungers and wayfarers.…eb. 11.9.…13. Wee see that Abraham had not one foote of it in possession, sauing that hee purchased a little peece to burie his wife in, no hee had not so much as water to drinke. Iacob was banished out of it a great parte of his life. Isaac and all the Patriarks had but their walke in it, they neuer possessed one foote of the land which God had giuen for an heritage to them and their issue. Wee must needes conclude then that the auncient fathers did not passe through this visible land, and that their acknowledging of it for their inheritance was after such a sorte, as they tended alwayes towardes heauen, and that was the marke which they aimed at. Seeing it is so, wee must make a similitude betweene this lande, and the inheritance wherunto GOD calleth vsus, as it hath beene purchased for vsus by our Lorde Iesus Christ.
Whereas hee saith That God made the people to passe through a horrible and dreadfull wildernesse: the same belongeth vntounto vsus also, if wee consider in what state God founde vsus, and whence hee hath drawen vsus. For are wee not all damned and forlorne by nature? Hath not the diuell a tyrannous dominion ouer vsus, from whence no man can deliuer himselfe by his owne power? Euen so, if wee consider where GOD seeketh vsus when hee calleth vsus to him: [wee shall finde, that] the wildernesse wherethrough the Iewes passed is not so dreadefull and terrible, as is the damnation wherein wee were. For wee bee in bondage of sinne, wee bee vnderunder the thraldome of death, satan reigneth ouer vsus, and is king and prince of the whole worlde. Seeing then that GOD riddeth vsus out of so miserable slauerie, and setteth vsus at libertie by his holy spirite: is it not all one as if hee shoulde make vsus way through the gulfes of hell? Yes: for wee bee there in verie deede, and wee cannot come at Iesus Christ, except we be brought out of the dungeons of death. Nowe then, if there were no more but this, that God hath ridde vsus from the curse which was brought vppon vsus by Adam, and wherein wee are all of vsus fast shut and locked vp vntill hee hauehave pitie vppon vsus: the experience of that one point ought to make vsus perceiue his goodnesse. And if there were no more but that: it ought to giuegive vsus courage to followe him, and to giuegive our selues wholly vntounto him. For if wee bee slouthful, there is no excuse for vsus, because his goodnesse is sufficiently warranted vntounto vsus, and it is long of none but our selues that wee bee not fully resolued and perswaded that hee will goe through with the thing that hee hath begunne. And that it is so, if euerie of vsus bethought himselfe well, wee shoulde finde that God by infinite wayes made vsus to ouercome the thinges that seemed vnpossible. But what? To set foorth our owne valiant deedes, wee can well ynough alledge this and that, and our memorie is but too good. And though it bee but a thing of nothing that wee hauehave done, yet wee can skill to magnifie it and to make great reportes of it. Loe howe men can bee quicke ynough to remember all that euer they hauehave done in their life, that may set foorth their owne glorie: but in the meane whyle wee doe wickedly forget the benefites of GOD. And yet worketh hee in such wise towardes vsus, as ought to quicken vsus vp to acknowledge his goodnesse, or else on the contrarie parte wee doe but thrust all vnderunder foote. Hee shall hauehave deliuered vsus from manie after delays, and hee shall hauehave made vsus to hauehave passed manie greate lettes, so as wee may hauehave thought that we had beene vtte…ly shut out and fordone, and hee shall hauehave reached vsus his hand: and yet for all that, wee neuer thinke of it againe. Nowe then, where as wee see men to bee rechlesse and slothfull in following GOD, it is because they forget his benefites which they hauehave had proofe of, and become like the Iewes. And therefore it behoueth vsus all to acknowledge our fault in this behalfe, and to mourne before God, and to seeke redresse of it.
Thus yee see howe wee ought to put this text in vre by similitude: that is to wit, when the promises of the Gospell are set forth to bring vsus to the kingdome of heauen: let vsus consider whereat God hath begunne in vsus, by what meanes he hath brought vsus to him, and howe hee hath strengthened vsus, to the intent to bring vsus out of the damnation, whereof wee are founde worthy by too too apparant conuiction. Nowe therefore if wee thinke there vponupon, and consider thus with our selues, beholde, our God hath made vsus pa… takers of his power, wee hauehave had too apparant experience therof, he hath deliuered vsus out of ye gulfe of hel, he hath ridde vsus out of the bonds of the diuell and of death: let vsus not doubt but hee will alwayes continue like himselfe hereafter, and hold out to the end.
Furthermore let vsus also marke well this saying in this text: The God of thy fathers hath promised thee the Lande. Beholde therefore, it is at thy commaundement, enter into it and take possession of it. The meaning is that wee shoulde yeelde so much honour to Gods truth, as to bee fully and throughly resolued in our selues, that inasmuch as hee hath adopted vsus to his children, our inheritance is certaine and infallible in heauen. For to what purpose is the Gospell preached vntounto vsus, but to make vsus knowe that GOD is our father, and that wee being become his children by his free adopting of vsus, shoulde bee assured that the kingdome of heauen belongeth vntounto vsus?Mat. 13.24. and 31. And in verie deede for the same cause is the Gospell called the kingdome of heauen, forasmuch as it openeth the gate vntounto vsus, to the ende that wee nowadayes shoulde not doubte but that GOD auoweth vsus to bee his heires. But wee must hauehave a further consideration of the inheritance that God giueth vsus, than of all the benefites that Moses speakes of. For it stoode the Iewes on hande to hauehave helde themselues still to the thing that had beene spoken to Abraham, Isaac, & Iacob. But now is the Gospel another warrant vntounto vsus. For God is called the father, not onelyonly of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, but also of our Lord Iesus Christ, who is our head in such wise, that being once vnyted vntounto him, we become partakers of his own substance and life, and [therefore] we must not doubt but that the inheritance of the kingdom of heauē belongeth vntounto vsus. Nowe then, like as Moses said vntounto the Iewes, The God of your fathers: so must this voyce sounde in our eares, The GOD and father of our Lorde Iesus Christ, hath not onelyonly promised vsus the kingdome of heauen, but also giuen vsus wherewith to assure our selues the better of it. For we hauehave the performance & effect thereof, in that our Lord Iesus Christ suffered death, to recouer vsus the inheritance, whereof wee were bereft and dispossessed in the person of our father Adam. Nowe then wee see after what sort we ought to looke vponupon this doctrine: that is to wit, that although wee bee vnhappie wretches, although wee deserue to bee reiected of our GOD, although there bee nothing but cursednesse in vsus, and although that by nature wee bee plunged in the gulfe of hell: yet notwithstanding, seeing that God hath adopted vsus in our Lorde Iesus Christ, and made vsus all one with him by faith: wee neede not doubt but we be heires of the kingdom of heauen. And why? For GOD cannot lye, and forasmuch as hee is vnchaungeable, we hauehave sufficient warrant that wee shall not bee disappointed by putting our trust in him. Againe, wee hauehave our Lorde Iesus Christe, who is the mediatour betweene God and men, and hee hath not onelyonly taken solemne recognisances as a publike notarie: but also accomplished the thinges that were promised on the behalfe of GOD his father. He hath signed the euidence in such wise with his owne bloude, as wee see he hath payed that which hee owed not, and that which he was not to bee charged withall. So then let vsus hauehave this stedfast assurednesse with vsus, that GOD auoweth vsus for his children, and consequently that wee bee heires of eternall life. Howbeit, let vsus alwayes take that assurednesse out of the Gospell, accordingly as we see that Moses leadeth the Iewes thither.
True it is that wee must not forget the heauenly power that was vttered euerie where in the rysing againe of our Lorde Iesus Christe. But howe might we applie such a benefite to our selues, or how could we inioy it, if it were not by faith? Therefore like as our Lorde Iesus Christ hath purchaced vsus the kingdome of heauen by his death and passion: so is it his will that comfort shoulde bee giuen vsus nowadayes by his Gospell, where hee witnesseth vntounto vsus that all that euer hee did was for our sakes and for our welfare: so that hauing that once, and being assured thereof, we may inioy the benefite that was purchased for vsus.
But yet in the meane while, wee must doe so much honour to the Gospell, as to beholde that thing by faith, which is hidden from our eyes. It is saide that the Lande is at thy commandement. Nowe if wee beleeue our senses, wee cannot perceiue that the kingdome of heauen is ours, or in our hande: it will seeme to bee too farre off from vsus, and that wee had neede of wings to flie aboue the skyes. But what? Wee must so honour Gods worde (as I saide) as wee must not doubt but that the thing which is spoken there, is possible to be done, although wee conceiue not howe by our fleshly vnderstanding: faith must surmount all capacitie of man. And if wee finde any hardnesse therein, let vsus fight against our selues, and dayly indeuour to recouer vntounto God. For the way whereby hee will be glorified at our hands, is (as I saide at the beginning) that if there were no more but his bare worde, yet ought the same to contēt and suffice vsus. But seeing he hath vouchsafed to deliuer vsus this pledge which he hath giuen vsus in the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ: we shalbe the lesse excusable, if wee hauehave not a full and whole contentation. Seeing then that we hauehave such an assurance of the kingdome of heauen, let vsus go and take possession of the lande. For (as I said afore) God will not hauehave vsus idle.
True it is, that hee sheweth vsus by the holy scripture, that there is not one drop of power in vsus that tendeth vntounto good, but that wee be wholly giuen to euill. And yet notwithstanding it is his will also that when he hath put his gratious gifts into vsus, we shoulde make them auaylable, without chalenging any thing at all to our selues. For in this case it is not for vsus to glorie in our selues, nor to trust in our owne legges, according wherevnto it is saide in the Psalme to such as are giuen to the worlde,Psal. 33.16 and 17. that they must not trust in their owne strength, nor in the strength of their horses. If this bee saide of the thinges that perteine to this flightfull life: what is to bee saide of the spirituall life which is much more excellent? So then wtout attributing any thing to our selues, let vsus indeuour neuerthelesse seeing that God commandeth vsus, and let vsus goe on to enter into the possession of the spirituall kingdome whereunto he calleth vsus. And that is the cause why I said that wee must euermore come backe to our Lorde Iesus Christ, and there seeke ye thing that is wanting in our selues. For wee knowe that his suffering of his death and passion, was to exalt vsus aboue the heauens: and although wee doe but creepe vppon the earth, or rather bee so loppeheauie that wee sinke still downeward, to plundge our selues in the bottomlesse gulfes: yet will our Lorde Iesus lift vsus vp, according as he himself was exalted, to the same end and intent, as is declared in the third Chapter of the Gospel of S. Iohn.Iohn. 3.14.
Furthermore, to the ende wee may bee discharged of all selftrust, let vsus looke vppon the notable example that was giuen vsus at the death of our Lorde Iesus Christ. For if wee will goe the right way to heauen, wee must followe the poore theefe to whom he saide, This day shalt thou bee with mee in Paradise. Howe can wee bee sure that GOD will bring vsus to the kingdome of heauen, seeing that wee seeke hell, and all our affections, all our thoughtes, all our desires, all our powers, and all our workes, tend wholly thither, euen to separate vsus from God, and to alienate vsus from his kingdome, and to driue vsus away from life and saluation? How may wee (say I) be sure that God will take vsus vppe into his heauenly kingdome? We must hauehave recourse to this word that was spoken to the poore theefe: This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Seeing it is so that our Lord died, & that he entred into such gulfes of sorrowe, that he was pinched so farre as to abide the tormentes that were due vntounto vsus, and not only abode ye reproch and griefe of bodily death, but also felt ye Iustice of God, and became as a wretched offender to beare all the sinnes of the world: let vsus not doubt but he hath deliuered vsus from the paines & anguish which wee should hauehave felt, and will lifte vsus vp to himselfe, and therefore nowe let vsus not bee afraide of death. But first of all it behoueth vsus to followe the poore theefe. What had he in him to bring him to the kingdome of heauen? He was fastened to a crosse, he had his armes and legges broken, he seemed to bee but a wretched carkasse, there was nothing but reproche in him. Thus then you see howe he was an owgly myrrour to looke vponupon: and yet neuerthelesse, Iesus Christe promiseth him to make him his partaker and companion of his heauenly glorie. And what had hee beene all the time of his lyfe? So lewde and wicked both before God and man, that he was worse than condemned and accursed. Will we then be the heires of God? Wee must follow this theefe who had the preheminence to goe before vsus into the heritage of heauen. And how [must wee follow him?] We must acknowledge yt naturally there is nothing in vsus but vtter wickednesse, and that GOD might iustly holde vsus accursed. Also wee must thinke our selues to bee as folke that hauehave their armes and legges broken, yea and as men vtterly dismembred, so as we hauehave not one whit of strength in vsus, at leastwise as in respect of our selues. And yet for all that therewithall we must not doubt but that God accepteth vsus to him, when wee linke in with our Lorde Iesus Christ by right faith and pure affection, acknowledging him to be our king, and hauing our eyes fastened vponupon the inuisible kingdome, as I saide afore. For if the wretched theefe which sawe death before his eyes, which was in as great tormentes as was possible, and sawe himselfe as it were behated of all the world, did put his trust in Iesus Christe: what ought wee to doe? Againe, in what state was our Lord Iesus Christ at the same time? He hung vponupon a crosse full of reproche and shame, all men did spit at him, all men did spite him. And yet, notwithstanding that reprochfull state, the poore wretch ceassed not to behold life in death, and to say, Lorde remember me when thou commest into thy kingdome. But now wee knowe that Iesus Christ is exalted to the right hand of GOD his father, and hath souereigne power ouer all creatures: so that if wee yeeld him not his due honour now that he is entered into his glorie, wee shall hauehave no excuse at all. True it is that he was once hanged vponupon a gibbet ful of reproch and shame: but yet wee see therewithall that the same was turned into glorie and triumph, so as the victorie which he obteined was more royall than all the triumphes of all the Princes in the worlde. Seeing then that wee doe see that Iesus Christ hath ridde away all the slaunder of his crosse by the power of his resurrection: ought wee not at leastwise to looke vp to the kingdome where he dwelleth, whereunto he calleth vsus, and which he hath purchased so dearely? Thus you see after what maner wee must put in vre this text of the possessing of the land which he hath promised vsus and purchased for us.
Besides this, when wee heare this saying, that it is at our commaundement: let vsus vnderstand that it were a disanulling of the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, if wee should not bee fully resolued of this inheritaunce, according also as Saint Paule sheweth.Rom. 10.7. If thou say, who is he that shall goe downe into the deepe, it is all one as if thou shouldest fetche vp Christ againe from death. Then if wee imagine with our selues, alas wee bee wretched creatures, there is nothing but vtter weakenesse in vsus, euill doeth so ouermaister that wee wote not what to do, the diuell tormenteth vsus, on the one side, and on the other side wee bee so fraile as is pitifull to see, and wee bee in trouble and vnquietnesse: if wee stande herevpon as quite out of heart and discouraged: Saint Paule sayeth it is all one as if we beleeued not that Iesus Christ dyed for vsus. For why? The death and Passion that he suffered are no trifling thing, but a thing of verie great price. Nowe then wee must take it to bee of power as it is, so that although we see our selues in the mids of bottomlesse pits, yea & that very often and commonly, insomuch that when wee bee out of one gulfe, by and by wee enter into another, and therewithall Satan hath such power against vsus and wee on the other side are so feeble, that we can scarcely stirre one finger: yet let vsus not forbeare to assure our selues, that the inheritaunce belongeth to vsus still: for that is the honour which wee must yeeld to our Lord Iesus Christ. But therewithall let vsus go foreward still. After what maner? Let vsus call to minde howe the Apostle saieth, that like as our Lord Iesus Christ went out of the Citie as reiected out of the companie of men:Heb. 13.12. so we must not disdaine to become like him, and to beare the shame and reproche of his crosse: for it becommeth the members to be fashioned like to their body. And therefore let vsus determine to goe after him, For those are the true markes whereby he knoweth vsus to bee his. And for performance thereof, let vsus vnderstand that wee must forsake the world in general, yea and our selues too. For the matter standeth not alonely vponupon going out of the world. True it is that so long as it pleaseth God to hauehave vsus lodge here, here wee must abide: but yet howsoeuer we fare, wee must euer hauehave one foote vp, readie to goe hence whensoever it shall please God to take vsus to him: so that if wee will be heires of the heauenly kingdome, wee must be but pilgrims and straungers in this world. Yea and (which more is) wee must go out of our selues, that is to say, we must not leane to our owne will and wit, but wee must ridde our selues of all selfweening, and couet nothing but to goe vntounto God. And if the world shake vsus off and make a mocking stocke of vsus, (as we see now adayes how the poore Christians are lightly esteemed, so that they bee taken to bee as the ofscouring of the world, or rather as myre & dung, as saieth S. Paul) I say, if wee bee so reiected of the whole world:1. Cor. 4.13. let vsus beare it patiently. For why? Iesus Christ went out of the Citie Ierusalem, bearing the reproch and curse of the whole world vponupon him: and therefore let vsus bee readie to bee fashioned like vntounto him. Also therewithal let vsus determine to separate our selues from all the vncleannesse that reigneth euerie where now adayes in the world. And forasmuch as we can not possesse the heauenly heritage, vnlesse wee ouercome this doubting and fearefulnesse which plucke vsus backe: insomuch that if our mindes runne still vponupon our owne feeblenesse▪ truely wee shall not neede any other thing to shake vsus downe: whereas on the other side if we hauehave our eye vppon our captaine Iesus Christ, who alonely hath vanquished all feare, yea and euen death, and the diuell, & all his power: then may wee boldly goe on still, to ouercome all lets that may hinder vsus or turne vsus aside from following God whithersoeuer he calleth vsus: Let vsus shut our eyes against all that euer may turne vsus out of the right way, and let vsus not doubt but that God wil alwayes be our guide, and worke in such wise, as he will outgoe all our desires, yea and all the hope that we can conceiue of him.
Nowe therefore let vsus kneele downe in the presence of our good God with acknowledgement of our sinnes, praying him to make vsus so to feele them, that being cast down in our selues, wee may resort wholly vntounto him, an acknowledging our selues to bee wretched offenders that hauehave deserued his wrath and vengeance, (yea euen wtout euer being able to recouer out of endlesse death and cursednes) flee for refuge to the redemption that is purchased for vsus by the bloudshed of his onelyonly sonne. And that seeing our Lord Iesus Christ hath payed all our debtes, to discharge vsus of them, and to beare the condemnation that was due vntounto vsus, and forasmuch as he offereth vsus daily the fruite and effect of his death and passion: we may not doubt but that he will accomplish the thing that he hath begunne in vsus, and by his holy spirit make the power of his resurrection auaileable in vsus, to the end that we may leade a new life, and bee stablished in him more & more, till we be quite rid of all the corruptions of our flesh, to bee taken vp into his kingdome. That it may please him to graunt this grace, not onelyonly, &c.