Sermons on Deuteronomy, Sermons · Sermon 156
On Friday the xiij. of March, 1556. The CLVI. Sermon which is the fourth vponupon the eight and twentith Chapter.
15 But if thou wilt not obey the voyce of the Lorde thy God, in keeping and doing all his commaundementes and ordinances, which I commaund thee this day, then shall all these curses come vponupon thee and take holde of thee.
16 Thou shalt bee cursed in the citie and likewise cursed in the feelde.
17 Thy basket shalbee cursed and thy store.
18 Cursed shalbee the fruite of thy wombe, and the fruite of thy lande, the increase of thy kyne, and of the flocks of thy sheepe.
19 Thou shalt bee cursed in thy comming in, and cursed in thy going out.
20 The Lorde will sende vppon thee cursednesse, trouble, and destruction in all that euer thou puttest thine hande vntounto, and in all that thou doest, vntill hee hath destroyed thee, and thou quickely perish, because of thy euil inuentions, through the which thou hast forsaken mee.
21 The Lorde will make the pestilence to cleaue vntounto thee, till it hath consumed thee from the lande, which thou goest to possesse it.
22 The Lorde will strike thee with swellings and with the feuers, and with whote diseases, and with burning sickenesses, and with drought, and with sworde, and with blasting windes, and with the yellowe Iaundis, and hee will pursue thee vntill hee hauehave vtterly destroyed thee.
23 And the heauen which is ouer thy head, shalbee brasse, and the earth vnderneath thee shalbee yron.
24 In steede of rayning vppon the earth, the Lorde will giuegive thee dust and ashes: and hee will come downe from heauen vppon thee, vntill thou bee destroyed.
WE hauehave seene these other dayes past, howe God entreated his people by promises: nowe on the contrarie part hee addeth threatenings. And that is not without cause, for we see what slownesse is in vsus, when the case concerneth the submitting of our selues to the obeying of God. Our feete are swifte ynough to runne to euill, as the Prophet Esay sayeth, and as it is spoken in the Prouerbes,… 5….7. …. 1.16. …. 3.14. but God cannot make vsus to set foorth one steppe, to behaue our selues as becommeth vsus: and therefore wee must bee compelled to it, as of force. Neuerthelesse, it is certaine that God beginneth with gentlenes and goodnesse. And that is the cause why hee keepeth this order of setting foorth his blessings vntounto them that serue him. Hee mought very well hauehave begunne with threateninges, but hee did it not. And why? Hee tryeth to see whether wee bee apt to bee taught, by shewing himselfe fatherly towards vsus, and by making it to bee seene, that hee seeketh nothing but our benefite and welfare, prosperitie, and quietnesse.
Thus wee see howe God doeth first make a tryall of vsus: and if that preuaile not; then hee vseth threatenings; and it behooueth those two to goe ioyntly togither. For to what purpose is it, if wee serue not God with a free will? Albeit that men cannot fynde any fault with vsus: yet, if wee goe to it vnwillingly, all our life is detestable. For the cheefe poynt is that wee hauehave a pure and free good wil, to giuegive our selues ouer vntounto God. For wee must not hauehave our eye to the rewarde: and therefore doth it much more followe in reason, that if we goe to it by constraynt, all our life is cursed. Yet notwithstanding, this desire of seruing God because it is not lost labour, is not all that wee hauehave to do. For when wee bee come to that poynt, wee are but at the halfe way. Although a man receiue the promises which bee heere contayned, and offer himselfe to God to serue him: yet his so dooing is vnperfect, and deserueth to bee cast off. Wherefore? Because (as I hauehave sayde) wee may not bee hyrelings: but our yeelding of our selues vntounto our God, must bee because wee bee his, and because hee is woorthie to hauehave our lyfe employed in his obedience, and specially for that hee is our father. Hee beginneth at the promises because of our infirmitie, to set vsus the more forwarde. And when hee hath brought vsus on so farre, then he manifesteth vntounto vsus a greater perfection.
But to be short, we hauehave to marke, that there are three sorts of people which keepe the law of God in outwarde shewe. One sort dooth it by compulsion, with gnashing their teeth at it, and they doe discharge it after a fashion. And wherefore? Because they knowe well that they cannot escape the hande of God, they feare his anger and his vengeance; and therefore doe they serue him; but that is by compulsion. But as I hauehave sayde, all this is reprooued. Another sort takes the middle way: for they knowe that God is faithfull, and that such as serue him shall not lose their labour: these harken to the promises which bee expressed in holy Scripture. And so a great many doe yeelde themselues to serue God, because hee allureth them thereunto by promising them reward, as we hauehave seene before. But, as I sayde, wee may not stay there; but wee must rather consider, that forasmuch as God hath made and fashioned vsus, redeemed vsus, and is our father, the same ought to suffice vsus although we had no respect vntounto that which hee promiseth vsus: and forasmuch as hee hath preuented vsus with his merciemercy: and sheweth him selfe so bountifull towards vsus: his so doing ought to inflame vsus with an ardent affection to serue him. This is one of the principall poyntes of our life. But (as I sayde afore) our Lorde in his lawe hath respect to our rawnesse: and therfore hee promiseth to reward vsus, to the intent wee shoulde hauehave the better courage. And in deede though wee serue God with affection neuer so pure and freely imployed, yet must wee alwayes wayt for that which is promised vsus, and staye thereupon. Wee must (I say) hope for his blessing, when we hauehave serued him with a good courage: but wee may not doe it to that end: wee must not bee drawne by this respect onelyonly. For (as I hauehave sayde) wee must bee his children, and honour him as our father. And as it is hee that doeth vpholde vsus: so must wee assure our selues that it is not for vsus to imagine any merite in our selues, but that hee accepteth vsus of his owne onelyonly infinite goodnes; and therefore that wee for our parte, must seeke nothing but to vowe and dedicate our selues wholly vntounto him. Howsoeuer the case stand, let vsus learne, that when God hath set his promises before vsus, hee must also bee fayne to spurre vsus forwarde. Wherefore? Because our nature is full of rebellion against him: wee bee not onelyonly slowe: but also there is in vsus an inclination to drawe quite backewarde from that which GOD commaundeth vsus. If there were no more but slouthfulnesse, yet were that such a vice as were woorthie to bee corrected, and therefore wee should hauehave neede of the threatenings that are mentioned heere. But seeing wee be so frowarde to bee ruled, that wee bee alwayes kicking, so as God cannot reclayme vsus nor inure vsus to his yoke: it appeareth that the …anaces bee double necessarie. And heerein there is very iust cause to condemne vsus, seeing that God cannot winne vsus to louelove, but is fayne to shewe himselfe dreadfull, to make vsus afrayde▪ without the which wee woulde lye still asleepe. Seeing then that God doeth so litle preuayle with vsus, when hee traineth vsus gently, seeking nothing▪ but to make vsus to followe him with a willing heart; let vsus acknowledge our frowardnesse and condemne our selues: and therewithal let vsus also confesse the fatherly care that God hath of our saluation, seeing he vseth all ye meanes which hee knoweth to be mee…e for vsus. For it is all one, as if hee should (as yee woulde say) transfigure himselfe. His onelyonly respect is to reclayme vsus. One whyle hee smyleth on vsus▪ and another whyle hee frowneth at vsus. But yet all tendeth to this poynt, namely, that we may bee drawen vntounto him, to giuegive ouer our selues to his seruice.
Now will some man say, Seeing that it is so yt our life displeaseth God, & that he reproueth ye same when we serue him by compulsion: if the threatnings leaue vsus there, what do they auaile? It were better that God should forbeare them. But let vsus marke that he trayneth vsus by degrees according as he knoweth it necessary for vsus. It is certaine, yt if nothing but feare doe bring vsus to serue god, it is noughtworth: howbeit it is a good preparatiue, yt leadeth vsus farther on, after hauing begun at it. As for example: before ye God hath meekened vsus, we be ful of pryde, & our flesh is altogither rebellious: & to be short, wee be as coltes that were neuer sadled nor bitted. God must be faine to prepare vsus & to bring vsus in order, which thing to do, he vseth threatnings. But this (as I hauehave said) were nothing at al, vnlesse he inured vsus to a voluntarie obedience & subiectiō afterward. And when we tend thitherwarde, we hauehave greatly profited in yt this pryde of ours is beaten down, & we be no more so wyldheaded, but yt we know yt there is a Iudge before whome we must make account; & that the same consideration restraineth vsus from vsing such loosenes any more, & from being so heady in doing euil, as we hauehave bin. This is a beginning, & in deede it is but a beginning; in so much yt if we shold stay there, wee were not yet plucked out of the mire. But when we hauehave thus begun, then doth ye lord match his threatnings with a tast of his goodnes in such sort as we be drawn vntounto him. And in so doing he sheweth himself to be our father. Now when we vnderstand yt God in deede is ready to rewarde vsus when wee hauehave serued him, albeeit that wee bee not able to deserue any thing, but rather doe prouoke his wrath: thereuppon wee must hauehave our refuge to his mere merciemercy, to obtayne remission of our sinnes, as it is offered vntounto vsus in our Lorde Iesus Christ, and as hee hath purchased it for vsus by his death & passion. When we be thus reformed, and rid of all trust in our owne woorkes, then ought wee to offer vp our selues willingly in sacrifice vntounto GOD,… 12.2. as Saint Paul also doth exhort vsus in the twelfth Chapter to the Romanes. Hee setteth vsus forth no rewarde, but saith: I beseeche you brethren, by the merciemercy and compassion that God hath shewed towardes you, that eueryevery one of you renounce this worlde, and also himselfe, that you become liuely sacrifices vntounto GOD: for that is your reasonable seruice.
But yet some man will reply againe and saye: If threatenings make vsus readie for the promises of God, it seemeth that they shoulde bee placed in the first ranke, and that the promises shoulde followe them. But the answere to this dout is: that God will holde vsus more conuicted before him, when hee beginneth with vsus by his promises. For wee cannot say but that there is a shamefull thanklesnes in vsus, seeing that wheras our Lorde seeketh onelyonly to winne vsus by louelove, wee notwithstanding deale frowardly with him, and drawe backewarde, when hee commeth so louingly towardes vsus. Yee see then howe the promises are set before vsus in the first place, that wee might bee the better reprooued of our frowardnesse. But hath God shewed vsus that his goodnesse would not auayle vsus, except he threatened vsus? then doeth he vse rigour, and ye same rigour doeth profite vsus, forsomuch as wee bee touched therewith, and our hearts are daunted. I meane not all; for there be many that take the brydle in their teeth to stryue against God: but I meane the faithfull. Those are they that bee prepared for ye promises of God, through threatninges. Afterwarde God turneth yet agayne, all allureth them newe agayne with his goodnesse, as is sayde afore: in so much that when he hath stoong them with his threateninges, to tame the stubbornnesse of their flesh; (as surely it is requisite that God shoulde shewe some signe of his wrath:) thereuppon hee setteth before vsus his merciemercy, which is the accomplishment of al, to the ende (as I hauehave sayde) that wee shoulde learne to yeeld our selues wholly vntounto him with a free disposed affection.
Nowe let vsus come to the wordes that bee set downe heere. If thou wilt not obey the voyce of the Lord thy God, to keepe his commandements & statutes which I set before thee this day: all these curses shall come vppon thee, and take holde of thee. Heere Moses speaketh expressely to such as hauehave been trayned in the worde of God. True it is that they which offend without the lawe, shall perish neuerthelesse,… as Saint Paul sayth in the second Chapter to the Romanes. And in verie deede wee see that the ignorant and blynde scape not vnpunished at Gods hande. Albeit that they might pleade that they were not taught: yet are they faultie ynough. But let vsus note, that heere our Lorde doeth double his curse vppon those vntounto whome hee hath shewed such fauour, as to manifest his wil vntounto them, and to shew them the waye of sauing health, had they obeyed him, and yeelded themselues vntounto his doctrin. This then is not generall to all men. But God doeth first of all shewe, that when hee hath giuen his lawe, and published it abroade. The fault is in the people that they vnderstande it not. This is the cause why Moses doeth expressely say: the commaundementes and statutes, which I set before you this day. When hee sayeth, Commaundements and statutes, it serueth to shewe that they conteyne a sufficient instruction, accordingly as wee hauehave tolde you heere before; that God hath not spoken by halues: but that hee hath so taught his people, as they cannot reply and say, Wee wote not what these things meane. Loe heere the Statutes & commaundements which I set before you, sayeth Moses. If you applye your indeuour to them, you cannot doe amisse. And therefore let vsus beare well in mynde, that according as God hath deliuered vsus his worde, our vngodlinesse is doubled before him, and our punishment must bee so much the more grieuous, if wee bee not willing to doe good, yea, and also profite therein, and from day to day bee established in his obedience. That is the thing which wee hauehave to consider vppon that saying.
Moreouer when hee sayeth: If thou wilt obey the voyce of the Lorde thy God: it serueth to touch vsus throughly to the quicke. For seeing that God vouchesafeth to speake vntounto vsus: is it not meete that wee shoulde at the least giuegive eare vntounto him? And if wee play the deafe folkes, is it not a matter contrary to nature? For if wee woulde not heare our equall, hee woulde take it in disdayne, and much more woulde our superiour. And whereas God hath all soueraigne dominion ouer vsus, and hath done vsus the fauour to deliuer vsus his worde, and acquainteth himselfe familiarly with vsus, if hee fynde vsus stubborne against him, disdayning to heare him; is it not meete that hee shoulde auenge him of such a contempt? Specially when hee seeth such a villaynous statelynesse in vsus, which bee but wormes of the earth. The thing then which wee hauehave to remember vppon this text, is that heere Moses intended to condemne the vngodlinesse of men that doe still continue hardhearted, notwithstanding that God giuegive them the meane to returne, by setting his woorde before them.
Nowe, when hee sayeth that these curses shall take holde of vsus; it behooueth vsus to remember that which was spoken of here before.Deut. 28.2. For in speaking of the blessings of GOD, hee sayde; Thou shalt bee compassed round about; and nowe hee doeth in like wife ioyne the curses in the same manner, so that wee may not thinke to escape the hande of God. Howe slye so euer wee bee, wee shalbee alwayes entrapped, it wil not boote vsus to seeke s…art…ngholes, according to this saying of his by his Prophet, If thou goe into thy house, and shut thy doore and double barre it,Amos. 5.19. & 9.1.2.3.4. yet shall the serpent come in and sting thee there: If thou goe into the feeld, & seek means to escape, thou shalt meet wt a lyon vponupon ye way: if thou slip aside from ye lyon, a Beare shall meete thee, and to bee short, whatsoeuer men doe, when God is against them, & is become, as it were, their enimie, they must needes fynde that they bee surprised, caught, and entrapped, and enuironed rounde about with these curses, without any hope to get out. Therefore, let vsus not deceiue our selues in seeking worldly meanes to saue vsus: for if the hand of God bee lifted vp against vsus, (as wee shall see in the song heere at hande) Hee hath his storehouse full of roddes,Deut. 32.23 and not of three or foure sortes onelyonly, but of infinite: and if wee suppose that wee are escaped, when wee hauehave ouercome some one euill; then wee deceiue our selues: for God hath by and by an hundred moe. Let vsus then looke for all manner of woe, if wee obey not Gods lawe. But it were a miserable appeale if wee shoulde come vntounto God by compulsion, onelyonly for feare of his punishments. What must wee then doe? Wee must submit our selues willingly vntounto him, praying him to keepe vsus from procuring his wrath, and from warring against him, and from inforcing him to come to defie vsus. That were as if some petie lorde woulde attempt warre against a great Prince; hauing neither strong towne, nor munition, nor ought els: and yet woulde needes presume to defye one that is able to swallowe him vp, if hee did but lift vp his finger against him; and were not that a madnesse? Likewise, when wee prouoke our God, by setting our selues against him wittingly, hee must needes besette vsus, and holde vsus as in prison. Wherefore, let vsus pray him not to suffer vsus to bee so farre ouerseene, as to fall to defying of him: but that wee simply obey him, so as wee may bee crowned and encompassed with his blessings; according as it is sayde in the two and thirtith Psalme. Hee that putteth his trust in God,Psal. 3….10. shalbee crowned with his benefites: that is to say, God will make him to possesse his blessings rounde about him, and hee shalbee so throughly fenced on all sides with his sauegarde, that hee shall not neede to feare. Albeit that wee bee layde open to neuer so many dangers, yet shall wee be preserued through his goodnes. Now as touching that which he addeth; we hauehave expounded here before.
Concerning the curses, he sayth: Thou shalt bee cursed in the towne, thou shalt bee cursed in the feelde, thy comming in shalbee cursed, thy going forth shalbee cursed, the fruite of thy wombe shalbee cursed, and the fruite of thy cattle and of all thy flockes. Hereby are wee againe done to vnderstande, that all the euil which wee see in this worlde, proceedeth from the hande of God. By the worde euils I vnderstande all the punishmentes, and all the wretchednesse whereunto wee bee subiect, according also as he speaketh thereof by his Prophet Esay,Esa. 45.7. saying: I am the Lorde which made both light and darkenesse, which hauehave in my power both life and death, and which doeth both the good and the euill. Hee vseth this kinde of speeche purposely: not that the euill, whereof wee bee faultie, doeth proceede from God, nor that it ought to bee imputed vntounto him: it is not so. But hee meaneth that all the miseries and calamities which wee suffer in this worlde, be as it were so many chasticementes: wee may not attribute them to haphazarde, as shalbee more plainly touched hereafter;Leu. 26.22. where God sayeth, If you will needes come against mee at all aduenture, I will in like wise come against you at al aduenture. Hee vseth the same verie woordes. And wherefore? Because that men doe bleare their owne eyes, and saye; Loe, what misfortune is befallen me? When they be any wayes afflicted, they cast out spyteful speeches against God and ouershoote themselues, not considering that God is a Iudge, and gouerneth the worlde by his prouidence; they are not able to perceiue that, so dull and senselesse bee they. And that is the cause why Moses vseth this kind of declaration, and so large in this text. And it serueth to bring vsus to that which I alleged euen nowe out of the Prophet Esaye; where GOD sheweth that hee made both light and darkenesse, and did both the good and the euill. Wee may not heere conceiue vayne thoughtes, saying, Whence commeth this vntounto mee? It is a misfortune. Woulde God it were not so. But wee must acknowledge the hand that smyteth vsus; for that is greate wisedome. And for the same cause doeth God complayne thus by his other Prophete:Esa. 91… ▪ This people hauehave not regarded the hande that smote them. Yee see then howe wee must vnderstande that all the afflictions and miseries which wee endure in this worlde, bee verie strokes of Gods owne hande. And euen in that respect is it sayde by the Prophet Amos:Amos. 3.6. Is there any euill in the city which God hath not done? That is to saye, can there happen either warre, or pestilence, or famine, or diseases, or pouertie, or any other calamitie whatsoeuer it bee, that commeth not to you from God? Wretched people, bee you so foolish and beastly, as to imagine, that God which created the worlde, doeth leaue it at randon, and hath no care to watche ouer his creatures, or to bestowe on them, that which hee thinketh meete for them, sometimes to shewe his goodnesse, and sometimes to make them feele that hee is a Iudge, and to punish mens sinnes, and to make them to knowe what his office is? Thinke you that hee dwelleth ydle in heauen, and that he vttereth not his vertue, or that the worlde is not guyded and gouerned by his prouidence? So then, like as heretofore God hath shewed that wee cannot prosper,Deut. 8.18. but through his grace and louelove that hee beareth vsus, in that hee hath chosen vsus for his children, and wil also accept our seruice; so nowe hee sheweth in like wise, that if there bee any affliction, pouertie, or other miserie, they come not by happehazarde: but are very punishmentes of Gods sending: and therefore when thinges fall not out after our liking, wee must fall to considering & examining of our sinnes. If wee bee grieued with any manner of thing, so as one is troubled with his housholde, an other with the losse of his goods, another with some disease, another with some vexation of mynde, and an other with the forgoing of some thing that he loued: let vsus acknowledge, saying; Loe, it is our God that hath lifted vp his hand, & holdeth it vp stil. And wherefore? Because that wee hauehave offended him. The first point then is, that men may not flatter them selues when God visiteth them: but they must know, that by this meanes they are made to vnderstande their offences, to the end to humble themselues, and to bewayle them. Thus much for one point.
The seconde poynt is, that wee must not thinke to escape the scourges of God, bee wee neuer so subtile; but that wee shall euer bee caught by the backe, if God bee against vsus. And well may wee make vsus sheeldes, and rampyres: but when wee hauehave practised what wee can: yet will not our Lorde misse to finde vsus, he needs but to blowe vppon all our defences whereby wee thinke to garde our selues against him. It is not like as if wee shoulde hauehave to doe with creatures. Against them wee might fortifie our selues both behynde and before; but God will knocke vsus on the pates from heauen. Wee can hauehave neither shielde nor rampaire against him, in hope thereby to stoppe his hande from touching vsus, when it pleaseth him to punish vsus.
Againe, to what ende shall all the fortifications serue that wee are able to buylde against him, but to ouerthrowe our selues? Let vsus therefore vnderstande, that all that euer men can do against God, shall turne to their owne confusion, and vtter ouerthrowe. That is the thing which Moses meant, when hee sayde, That wee shalbee cursed in the towne and in the feelde, that wee shalbee cursed in our going foorth, and in our comming in, if wee obey not the voyce of our God. And as hee sayde afore, that God will open his good treasure from heauen, to giuegive vsus rayne in due time; so nowe he sayth, That God will make our heauen as Brasse, and our earth as Iron, and that in steede of rayne hee will sende vsus drought, he will sende vsus dust and ashes, and there shalbee nothing but barrennesse amongest vsus. Here wee must cal againe to mynde the lesson that hath beene layde out breefely before: that is, that according as eueryevery one of vsus is visited by the hande of God, wee shoulde benefite our selues thereby and eueryevery man applye that to his owne vse which is heere mentioned. For God vseth many wayes to chastice vsus. One is punished in his owne person with diseases, reproche, and I wote not what else: an other hath some secrete heartbyting, so that although hee bee whole in bodye, yet hee ceaseth not to bee tormented in minde: another is plagued with his wife or with his children: and another is troubled with his substance. According therefore as eueryevery one fyndeth him selfe afflicted, so let him resort to this that is tolde vsus heare, saying: Alas, I see howe my God calleth mee vntounto him, I may not nowe prouoke him: for what shall I winne by vsing many wyndlasses as the worldlinges doe, who desire to fall a sleepe in their miseries: and the onelyonly comfort which they seeke, is to hauehave no regarde to God. Nowe if wee doe so; then must that which is spoken in the two & thirtith Psalme bee practised vppon vsus, to wit, that God will deale with sturdie and hardharted folkes as with restiue horses,Psal. 32.9. and madde moyles. As hereafter wee shall see more at length. So then yet must wee come to the sayde poynt of feeling of Gods hande according as eueryevery one is afflicted, first in his owne behalfe, and then in common. When we see a drought, let vsus not accuse the heauen nor yet the ayre, saying it was the disposition of them. Let vsus not doe, as the fantasticall folke doe, which looke no higher than the starres; but let vsus thinke vppon the hande of God: that as many afflictions as fall vppon vsus, may bee vntounto vsus as visible signes and markes that God executeth the office of a Iudge towarde vsus: and that although hee condemneth vsus, as often as hee punisheth vsus, yet the same is not a condemnation to the death, but a summoning of vsus to appeare before him, there to frame newe processe against vsus. This is a poynt which wee ought to marke well. Therefore when wee feele any euill or greefe, let vsus vnderstande that we hauehave offended God: but let vsus thinke therewithall, that God neuerthelesse meaneth not to execute a finall sentence vppon vsus, when hee calleth vsus againe vntounto him. To what ende then is it? Is it to condemne vsus without merciemercy? No: but hee doeth vsus this fauour, that wee might bee our owne Iudges. When hee doeth summon vsus, it is to the ende that eueryevery one shoulde plead guiltie of his owne good will, and thereupon aske him forgiuenesse, and flee for refuge to his merciemercy. Loe heere an inestimable priuilege. And so let vsus benefite our selues both priuately and publikely by the things that are tolde vsus heere: That when wee see the heauens burning hote, and wee aske rayne, and yet goe without it, so as the fruites doe fayle vppon the grounde, and the heate dryeth vp all thinges: let vsus vnderstande that it is the hande of GOD which visiteth vsus, and let vsus confesse our sinnes with one common accorde. And if any man feele anye housholde vexation, let him confesse; Well, GOD doeth waken mee by this visitation, because I hauehave offended him. Thus the cheefe studie, wherein God woulde hauehave the faithfull to exercise themselues, is the examining of their sinnes, after this manner: whereby it will come to passe, that (as Salomon sayeth) Blessed is the man which doeth trouble and quicken vp himselfe,Pro. 28.14. not that wee must so trouble our selues, as to fall into vnmeasurable despaire: but wee must quicken vp our selues with feare, because the diuell seeketh nothing else, but to make vsus dull and blockish, to the ende wee shoulde offende God, and bleare out our tongues against him like as wee see these despisers doe, which set themselues against him, dashing at him with their hornes, and vomiting out their blasphemies. To the intent therefore that wee come not to that passe, wee must quicken vp our selues with feare and trembling: which can not bee done, vnlesse wee profite vnderunder the correction of our God, and consider, that when hee visiteth vsus, it is to call vsus vntounto him.
IF we were threatned by a mortall man, as God threatneth vsus in his lawe: surely we would be moued, albeit that hee had no great power ouer vsus: wherein our vngodlinesse is to be seene, insomuch that although we endeuor to cloke it, yet it bewrayeth it self, in that we attribute more power to mortall creatures, than we doe to the liuing God. But heereby God intended to try the honour and obedience that we beare him: to wit, namely in this, yt hee assureth vsus of his louelove, we should rest all wholely thereupon, and hold ourselues contented therewith. And in likewise on the contrary side, that when he giueth vsus any certaine token of his anger, we should quake thereat. Let vsus take good heede therefore of the thing that is heere mentioned: namely that we be not so blockish as to make a skorne of gods wrath. But let vsus returne to that which hath beene sayde already, to wit, that his hande must needes be against vsus, if we liue not according to his lawe. It is certaine that men will naturally giuegive libertie to their lustes, to doe whatsoeuer God hath forbidden thē, and that they will not sticke to make warre against him. In deede they will not say so, yet doeth the thing shewe it selfe to be so. For when wee on our part hauehave defied him and assaulted him; is it not reason that he should arme himselfe against vsus? True it is, that so long as we liue in this present worlde, the infirmitie of our flesh is such, as wee are not able in all respectes to satisfie the lawe of God. Neuerthelesse when men passe their bounds so farre that good and euill is to them all one; and that they striue not at all against their lustes: they shew themselues open enimies vntounto God. And to that end also is it that Moses speaketh. Albeit that wee doe our endeuour to resist the euill, and that the feare of God doth brydle vsus, yet cease we not to deserue to be chastized of him: as wee see the faithfull be not exempted from many afflictions: and that God reclaimeth them much rather than he doth the despisers of his maiestie. For as they be his children, so hath hee the greater care ouer them: and therefore doth he chastise them the more earnestly. Howbeit Moses in this place speaketh but of such as harden themselues in stubbornnesse, flinging out of course in such wise, as they make no conscience at all to doe euill. They neuer thinke that there is a Iudge in heauen, vntill he make them to feele his hande. And therefore he saith not; God will chastise you as a father doeth his children: but God will strike you mainely; you shall feele his hande, so roughly and liuely, yt you shall not be able to abide it: and that not for one day but continually til ye be consumed and perished. Seeing then that we heare such threatninges; let vsus vnderstande that they be prepared for such as are hardened in euill, and be not restrained with any feare, to sigh when they feele any euil temptation in themselues: but goe on, taking the bridle in their teeth, and make a mocke of God. And what shall followe of that? Ouer and besides the thinges which we hauehave seene heere before; Moses addeth, that God will smite such despisers with diuerse plagues. First that he will sende them enemies; and giuegive them power, to destroy and to consume them, insomuch that they shal persecute them euen in their dead carcasses, so as when they be discomfited, hee will not do them the honour to suffer them to be buryed, but leaue them for meare for the crowes, and for the beastes of the earth: and moreouer that he hath diuers other means to plague them in their bodies; by sending them diuerse diseases, as cankers, and other bottes and scabbes, wherby they shall be brought to such an afterdeele, that they shall not hauehave as it were any more vnderstāding, but be vtterly out of their right wit, so as they shall grope at nooneday, as the blind doe in the darke. And surely the forest point of Gods vengeāce, is when men be so ouerthrowen that they hauehave no more the heart to returne vntounto him, ne be able to recouer themselues to acknowledge their faultes, and to perceiue that when the hande of God doeth visite them, there is no helpe, except they make their refuge to his merciemercy: but abide astonished as men besides thēselues. By which meanes God sheweth himselfe to be mortall enemie vntounto them.
Now as touching that which Moses speaketh here of enemies: we see againe howe God holdeth the heartes of men in his hande: so that if we be in peace and anon warre is made against vsus, and we wote not wherfore: (as I hauehave already shewed) it is because God is angry with vsus: and that forasmuch as wee hauehave spited him, hee must also warre against vsus. He hath souldiers ynowe. As soone as he maketh any signe (as saith the Prophete) all the earth is moued;Esa. 5.26. yea euen though a litle while before, no man thought to hauehave stirred. Let vsus therefore vnderstand, that when warres are towarde in the worlde, God sheweth tokens of his wrath. It is certaine, (as we hauehave already sayde) that albeit we serue God faithfully, and stande in his protection: yet wee shall not cease to hauehave enemies. For it is his will to exercise vsus by that meanes: and it is the state of the Church, as it hath also alwayes bin. But this good commeth thereof, that God will maintaine vsus against our enemies. When they hauehave deuised wonders against vsus, yet shall they not bring their purpose about. They shalbe disappointed. And though they be as fierce as lyons, and full of desperate rage: yet will GOD tame them at the last: all though they continue in purpose to deuour vsus, yet they shall not hauehave the power to doe it:Deut. 28.7. But (as hath beene sayde afore) if they come against vsus one way, they shall flee seuen wayes. But nowe it is sayde contrariwise that althogh we be of power aboue our enemies, and doe set vponupon them in neuer so good order: so as the victory may seeme to be already gotten on our side, (as we see howe the wicked be enflamed with pride and presumption) yet when wee thinke our selues to hauehave gotten the goale, God will touch vsus with such a feare as wee shall not knowe which way to runne fast ynough, but eueryevery of vsus shall be at his wittes ende. Let vsus vnderstande hereby, that when God stirreth vp warres to chastice vsus, though wee be neuer so well furnished, and hauehave all the meanes that may be to resist; yet must we needs perish if God be against vsus. For victorie is not obtained by the force and valure of men, but by the power of GOD, who for that cause is called the Lorde of hostes.… And there is none other helpe for vsus, but to bee at peace with God, that he may broode vsus vnderunder his winges: accordingly as he vseth the same similitude, that he wil play the part of a henne towardes her chickinges.… …3.37. For then shall we be safe though all the world conspired our destruction. And albeit that our enemies be neuer so mightie and strong, and fully minded in their malice to destroy vsus vtterly: yet is it sufficient yt God doth warrāt vsus and yt albeit we hauehave no succour of mē, yet are we sufficiētly fortified by his only power. But if we proceede to offende him: and he seeth that when he hath spared vsus to recouer vsus vntounto him; we hauehave leauer to be aduersaries vntounto him and to continue in our rebellion: then after hee hath borne with vsus long ynough, he must needs bring vsus to this point of being consumed by the hande of our enemies. And although others seeme as wicked as we, & that God doe not prospe… them more than vsus: let not that deceiue vsus. For God will sometime giuegive victory to the wicked, which be no better than we, but paraduenture worse; yet will hee not faile to destroye vsus by their handes, and yet they shall hauehave their turne as well as we. But in the meane while, we must not thinke that this threatning is deliuered in vaine. Therefore let vsus not compare ourselues with others, saying, O, are not they offenders aswell as we? And hath not GOD good cause to punish them? Yes, hee hath fo… but he knoweth the due time and season, and he can vse them as seemeth good to himselfe: but let vsus prepare ourselues to abide his blowes, if we stoppe our eares against his threatninges, and sleepe when he would waken vsus. For if we giuegive no credit to his threatninges, wee must feele by effect, that hee which pronounceth them, hath power to put them in execution, and that he speaketh not, as they say, to scarre litle children. It is certaine that GOD will threaten often, before he execute iudgement. But therein let vsus consider his long patience in tarrying for vsus.…15. …. ….4. And if we abuse the same, it will be nought else but a heaping vppe and a doubling of Gods wrath towardes vsus: insomuch that it had beene better for vsus that hee had rooted vsus …ut the first day, than so long to hauehave forborne vsus. Let scoffers say, that respit is worth golde. But there is no respit so long which we would not redeeme with a hundred deathes, if it were possible, when wee hauehave beene so stubborne against our GOD, and so disobedient to his worde, that we hauehave made but a laughing matter of his giuing of some token of his anger. Let vsus therefore consider, that whilest that GOD doeth spare vsus, hee giueth vsus leasure to returne vntounto him: and that if our enemies hauehave forborne vsus, it is of his fauour shewed vntounto vsus, that we might preuent his wrath. But if wee will not heare him when he speaketh, nor receiue his warninges: it behoueth vsus to giuegive eare to these his threatninges heere denounced, and he must be faine to sende vsus to an other schoole. It is the wonderful goodnesse of our God, that when we hauehave thus prouoked him, as we see; yet hee forbeareth vsus, and all to recouer vsus vntounto him, not by forcing vsus with mayne strokes, but by alluring vsus after a louing manner, beeing ready to receiue vsus to merciemercy, as though hee were not a Iudge to vexe vsus and to condemne vsus. But what? When wee hauehave contemned all this, it must fall out in the ende (as I hauehave sayde afore) that our Lorde must stirre vsus vppe other maisters, so as the wicked may rise vp against vsus, and seeke to make a slaughter of vsus by butcherly murthering of vsus, beeing in verie deede the executours of Goddes vengeaunce, whereof wee were warned long aforehande, and made but a laughing game of it, continuing still in our sinnes and wickednesse. That is the cause why I sayde, that so long as GOD speaketh vntounto vsus, and wee condemne ourselues, and acknowledge our si…nes, and seeke attonement with our GO… that wee may liue in peace in this worlde: although it be Gods will, that wee shoulde hauehave enemies and be kept occupied with warres, yet notwithstanding he holdeth vsus still in his keeping and wee be maintained and defended by his power and goodnesse.
Nowe … that which Moses addeth, That the dead carcasses should be eaten of …rowes and of wilde b…st…, and that there shall be no man to driue them away: it seemeth to be a vaine threatning: for it is no matter whether it bee so or no. If a man be buried when hee is dead, what is he either the better or the worse for it? It seemeth then: at the first blush, that this shoulde nor be greatly regarded … But GOD ment to shewe that he will make his wrath feld euen in the bodies of them that be dead. And iniverie deede buriall is a priueledge that GOD hath giuen to mankinde for a warrant of the resurrection. Lette vsus not thinke that the vse of burying the dead is proceeded of a foolishe superstition, or than men deuised it. It is true that the heathen hauehave vsed it, and that was a witnesse against them: And at the last day they shall be conuicted by their vsing of that Ceremonie, which should hauehave taught them to looke for the last resurrection; and their not considering of it is vnexcusable. For our buriall ought to be vntounto vsus as a liuely glasse or portrayture, to shewe vntounto vsus, that wee bee not created to goe after such a sorte in corruption, as though there were not an other life, and that we shoulde not be restored vntounto a newe state. And it serueth alwayes for a larger declaration, that mankinde perisheth but for a time, and that their bodyes shall be renewed. Nowe forasmuch as buriall is as a memoriall of the Resurrection as I sayde afore; therefore is it giuen to men as a prerogatiue, to be buried: in respect whereof there is vsed an honest comelinesse, as who shoulde say that wee which remaine are taught as it were by eye sight to looke continually for a seconde life. For the dead also doeth beare a certaine marke in his body, that he is as it were layde vppe in safe keeping, vntill the day come that GOD will rayse the dead againe. Nowe on the contrarie side: whereas it is sayde that men shall not be buried, but that they shall be eaten of beastes and foules: it is as much as if God ment to depriue them of the common benefite, that he hadde graunted to all mankinde: and as if he had shewed openly that both in life and in death they were accursed of him. And that is the cause why it is sayde: Thou shalt be Buried with the buriall of an Asse:Ier. 22.19. which thing was spoken by the Prophet to a King, euen the King of Iudah. But yet, because he would not be corrected, and that whereas GOD hadde giuen him the honour to beare in his life time the figure of Iesus Christ: yet notwithstanding forasmuch as he had abused the same and giuen ouer himselfe to all vngodlinesse: thou shalt be buried with the buriall of an as…e (sayeth the Prophete.) Wee be heereby warned to hauehave verie gre… regarde of all the corrections that GOD …i…deth vsus: yea euen of the verie least: that wee may be alwayes stirred to feare. …or what is the cause, that wee passe ouer so many chastisementes of GOD, without profiting by them? Because wee shutte out eyes wilfully, and vnlesse we be compelled by vtter force and necessitie, we are contēted to beare ourselues in hande, that it is not GOD that ha…tiseth vsus: and (as we shall see heereafter) wee fall to such blockishenesse, as to attribute all to fortune. Lette vsus therefore be admonished to marke all the corrections which GOD sendeth vsus, both vppon ourselues, and …pon our neighbours, that we may receiue warning by them. Io seemeth to be but a small matter, not to be buried: yea but yet will God hauehave it noted, and to be vnderstoode th… it is his hande, and that he sheweth himselfe a…Iudge against such as hauehave offended him. Seeing that GOD will hauehave his Iudgementes knowen in …o small thinges? lette vsus bee aduised to hauehave more witte and discretion. As often as GOD giueth vsus (as yee would say) but a filluppe, let vsus be moued to thinke on him and nor tarrie vntill hee drawe his sworde, or bende his bowe to hit vsus with a mortall wounde: but let vsus by all manner of meanes humble ourselues vnderunder his hande. Moreouer wee hauehave heere, a Testimonie of the life euerlasting. True it is that this point was not so plainlie declared in the lawe, as it is to vsus in the Gospell, neither that we should rise againe to the heauenly glory, nor that we should liue with God after our death. But yet for all that, the olde fathers did not leade the life of beastes, neither did God leaue them in such ignoraunce, as to hauehave their faith closed vppe in this present worlde and in this transsitorie life. For heere we hauehave a recorde, that when we hauehave finished the course of this life, there is yet a greater Iudgement prepared for all men. And if GOD doe forebeare vsus heere, and notwithstanding that wee escape all the curses mentioned in the lawe, euen to the ende: yet must we come to a greater reckening. For it were a needelesse matter, for GOD to speake of depriuing menne of their buriall, if (as I sayde euen nowe) he had not a farther meaning in it. Therefore lette vsus so vse this doctrine, as we may be prouoked to hauehave an eye to the life that is yet hydden from vsus, and which wee looke for by faith; and let vsus not thinke it shall greatly auaile vsus, when GOD punisheth vsus not in this worlde. For it is farre better for vsus to linger heere beneath, and to be alwayes in miseries: than to enioye our ease and delightes, and that in the meane whyle GOD should but tarrie for vsus, to thunder vppon vsus when he hath taken vsus out of this worlde. Thus yee see whereto this Texte of Moses doeth serue vsus, where he sayeth, That the birdes and beastes, shall eate our carcesses, and that no man shall driue them away.
Nowe if God giuegive such tokens of his wrath on the bodyes that hauehave no feeling: what shall become of the soules, wherein is the verie seat of euill, and the kingdome of Sathan? For our handes, our feete, our eyes, and our eares, offende not of their owne proper mouing; but by the direction and prouocation of our wicked thoughtes and affections. And wherely all those things, or whence proceede they but from our soules? Seeing then that the bodyes which were but instrumentes, doe feele the wrath of GOD, and doe aunswere to the same as we see: lette vsus not suppose that the soules goe quit. Lette vsus therefore looke euermore higher than to this transitorie life for to w…ken vsus. and to make vsus to walke in such obedience, that after we hauehave fought against sinne, and against Sathan, and hauehave beene exercised in patience, and in diuerse, afflictions in this worlde, hauing doone our endeuour to serue GOD with all diligence, our soules may be taken vp to rest, and that our Lorde in likewise may shew the selfe same fauour vppon our dead bodyes. Notwithstanding, this fauour and blessednesse of hauing their bodyes buried, doth not alwaies happen to the faithfull, whereas it falleth ou… that many of the wicked are verie honourably buried; howebeit that the same is nothing to them, neither is their state any whit bettered thereby. We see what is sayde in the Psalme concerning them that hauehave faithfully serued GOD:Psal. 79.3. namely, that their bodies were layde ou… for a praye to the foules, and the beastes; and yet were they the children of GOD. And albeit that this bee a testimonie of Gods wrath vponupon the wicked: yet may it oftentimes come to passe, that our Lorde will vse the same manner of chastisementes vppon his owne people: And yet it shall bee nothing to their hurt.
True it is, that wee must euermote humble ourselues, when such a thing happeneth, and we must vnderstande that such thinges bee as it were markes of Adames sinne, and of the corruption that is in vsus, and also of the offences which we hauehave committed: and yet for all that our Lorde in the meane space turneth this euill to good, when he permitteth the faithfull to be depriued of buriall. We see what is sayd of the wicked riche man and of Lazarus. It is sayde,… …6.…2. that the riche man dyed and was buryed: beholde howe the worldely pompe is bestowed on the reprobate. It seemeth that his soule should hauehave beene receiued into paradise when his body was sumptuously caryed and vsed with great ceremonies. And what of Lazarus? He dyed too. But what mention is there of his buriall? None at all. Whereby our Lorde Iesus doeth vsus to vnderstande, (for it is he that speaketh it) that we must not stay altogether vppon these visible thinges. But yet this threatening (howe so euer the case standeth) is not in vaine. What is to be doone then? Lette vsus gather generally (as we hauehave sayde) that buriall serueth to leade vsus to the hope of the heauenly life, and of the resurrection which wee must hope for. Thus much concerning that point.
When we burie them that be dead before vsus, lette it serue alwayes to prouoke and to stirre vsus to vnderstande that wee bee not created to liue onelyonly in this worlde: but that there is an other better life prepared for vsus. And againe, when when wee see that our Lorde depriueth any of their buriall, let vsus vnderstande that he therein sheweth his wrath. Neuerthelesse it is better sometimes for a man to bee deuoured of beastes and birdes, and to bee chastised of GOD after that sorte in his bodie for the sparing of his soule, and to hauehave a temporall condemnation, than to perishe for euer more: It is better sometimes for a wicked man to bee hanged, than to dye in his bedde. For howe manie doe we see to gnashe their teeth against GOD, when he hath patiently tarryed for them, and giuen them so many playne and apparant tokens of his wrath for their conuersion; and yet neuerthelesse they make a mocke of him, and still continue obstinate in their rebellion? When a wretched ill doer is condemned by men, hee is ashamed of it and cast downe in himselfe, and acknowledgeth and bewayleth his sinnes. This condēnation then, which he beareth in his body▪ albeit that it is an execution of that which is heere spoken by Moses: doeth serue to his saluation; and therefore let vsus beare away these thinges. Moreouer when the faithfull, euen the very martyrs bee burned, and their bodyes consumed to ashes, so as they hauehave not yt which should bee common to all mankinde: let vsus vnderstande that GOD conuerteth the same to their welfare, and that their glorie is thereby doubled. As howe? It is certaine that this is a threatning of God, as be also all diseases. But when our Lorde saveth so, hee meaneth that they be the ordinarie meanes, which hee vseth to correct our sinnes: but yet neuerthelesse hee fayleth not to chastise those so with his owne hande, which hauehave not offended him: or at leastwise whome hee meaneth not to pursue with rigour. This is in summe that which we hauehave to beare in minde concerning this Text.
Nowe let vsus come to that which Moses sayth farther. He sayeth that GOD will strike the despisers of his lawe with many diseases. He hath spoken heeretofore of feuers, and of the whotte disease, and of the yelowe iaundis, and of such others: nowe hee speaketh of the Itch and canker and of other wormes and scabbes. Where also mention is made of the Emorodes, as some doe expounde them; all these foresayde thinges be the weapons of GOD, to punish the offenders of the Lawe. To be short, they be his men of warre to incounter with vsus, when he seeth that we take heart of grasse against him. And truely when we fauour our owne lustes to violate his righteousnesse, and to breake the order which he hath established among vsus: and when hee seeth our lustes to bee so inordinate which are theeues and robbers: he armeth his people and substitutes which bee the diseases that are heere spoken of, and other sortes. Lette vsus therefore learne…, that whatsoeuer diseases we suffer in our bodyes, the same be all messages of GOD to make vsus to feele his wrath, because wee hauehave offended him: but specially the extraordinarie diseases, as when GOD sendeth vppon vsus the sickenesses that are not vsuall amongst men, for the curing whereof they can hardely finde any meane, or else it is altogether impossible to doe it, by reason of the straungenesse of the thinges: then meaneth GOD to make vsus to feele his anger towarde vsus double, and to shewe vsus that wee hauehave prouoked him too too much. But we thinke verie slenderly of this. For contrariwise concerning the common diseases, the ordinarie hauing of them maketh vsus to thinke that they proceede not from God. They saye: there is a man that hath a feuer: and there is an other that hath the murre & the poze, or some such other disease. Wel, these be thinges wherein we be hardened. As howe? By custome. And must God in the mean while leese the possession of his right? If he doe still shewe himselfe a Iudge towards vsus, in chastising vsus: is that a reason why wee should forget him, and hauehave no regarde of his hande? But howsoeuer the case standeth, such is our blockishnesse. I woulde God that the examples therof were not so notorious as they be. But let eueryevery one looke to himselfe, and see if the customablenesse of sickenesses cause vsus not to turne our backe vponupon God, & to hauehave the lesse regarde of his iudgements and of our owne sins, so as none of vsus findeth any fault with himselfe. Thus much touching the cōmon and vsual sicknesses. And as for the extraordinary diseases, we see howe men are hardened by them also. I pray you hauehave we not seene that God within these fiftie yeares hath brought vp new diseases, against whoredome? Whence commeth the pockes and all these other filthy diseases, which are not to be reckened vp at this time? Whence come all these thinges but from GOD, who vttereth such vengeaunce as earst was neuer knowen? The worlde wondered at it, and for a time, men were greatly afrayde of it: but yet of all this whyle they hauehave hadde no consideration of the hande of God. And at this day it is become so ordinarie a matter, that the despisers of GOD, I meane the lecherous sort and the whore hunters, which giuegive ouer themselues to all leaudenesse, doe but wring their groines at it. Though GOD smyte them with that kinde of leprosie (for it is a kinde of leprosie in very deede) so as they be eaten with the fretting thereof and with other filthynesse; yet they cease not to folowe their trade still and to mocke at it: and truely it seemeth a verie straunge case, that such a punishment of GOD shoulde be so turned to a scoffe. What a iesting make they nowadayes of their baudry when they bee thus punished at the hande of God? How commeth it to passe, that they themselues doe make a iesting and scoffing at it, as it were in spite of God, and that whereas hee calleth them to humble themselues in sackecloth and ashes, they doe but blurt out their tongues at him, and are so farre from being ashamed of their dooings, that euen as it were in spite, they make a sporte of their owne filthinesse and miseries. Wee see then howe frowarde men be, seeing that they can profite no better in Gods schoole. I meane not in the schoole of his doctrine, where hee speaketh vntounto them, but when hee smyteth with heauy strokes, and also raiseth vppe warres and troubles, which ought to make menne besides themselues for feare: but yet in the meane whyle this is not written in vaine. Let vsus therefore be better aduised: and when GOD sendeth vsus any straunge diseases; lette vsus vnderstande that our sinnes be multiplyed▪ and that GOD must therefore be more moued than euer he was. Wherefore let the same bring vsus to repentaunce, and let vsus not double our iniquities: for in the ende, wee shall finde the thing by experience, which we sawe euen nowe; namely, that when the euill shall sticke vntounto vsus, yea euen in our marrowe and in our bones, vntill we be vtterly consumed. Besides this God hath other manner of meanes to punish vsus, and when he perceiueth that the vsuall meanes preuaile not, then hath he other roddes layde vp in his storehouses; as it is sa…d in the Canticle. Yea and we shall see what it is to walke at all aduentures against him: namely that in the ende hee will ouertake those folke ouerthwartely with a crooked measure, which playe the ignoraunt fooles after that fashion, and doe nothing but scoffe and shake their eares, when he hath punished them one way or other. Lette vsus not tarry therefore till GOD vse such extremitie towardes vsus: but beeing warned afore hande by that which is mentioned heere, let vsus looke to it, and consider that looke howe many sortes of diseases he sendeth vsus. so many witnesses he sendeth to prooue that we hauehave, sinned against him: that we might thinke thereon and turne to him againe with all lowlinesse.
I sayde erewhiles, that the verie vttermost of all, is this which Moses addeth in the ende: to witte, That GOD will smite vsus with astonishment, and that we shall be blinde groping at full midde day, as the blinde in the darke, and that our heart shall be amazed. Hitherto wee hauehave seene that God sheweth a singular fauour towardes men, in afflicting them in their bodyes, when they hauehave their mindes still in quiet, that they may be patient. For they feele their sinnes and bewaile them, and they cease not to call vponupon him that chastiseth them. And in verie deede it is sometimes seene, that the grace of GOD is much more manifested towardes such people, than if they hadde no such great afflictions. As for example: If GOD spare a man, and he serue God: wee see that God blesseth him. When we see a sounde and holy life in one, we will say, heere is a man that serueth GOD, and God also sheweth himselfe gratious towardes him. Againe we see an other that is visited with great diseases, euerie man hath pitie and compassion on him; he pineth continually, and hath vehement paines, he is vexed with diuerse-maladies, and the verie remedies that are giuen him be so greeuous that nothing can be more: yet notwithstanding this man ceaseth not to hold himselfe in quite, confessing his sinnes and crauing pardon of GOD: wee see such a patience as mooueth vsus to glorifie God; and the partie continueth still in prayers and supplications. When a man is thus mortified, and GOD holdeth his heart still in awe, so as the partie continueth in obedience vnderunder his hande; then perceiue we a great grace of GOD in the middest of those chastisementes. But when we be without reason in our sicknesse, and play the madde bedlems, and stande chawing vppon the brydle and wote not which way to turne vsus; and of all the while neuer make any countenance of fleeing vntounto God for reliefe, it is euen the full measure of all miserie.
Therefore it is not without cause, that Moses hauing spoken of the sickenesses and griefes that GOD sendeth vppon mennes bodies, and in likewise of extraordinarie chastisementes, which constraine men in spite of their beardes, to feele their sinnes, addeth heere; God will strike thee with blindenesse, yea and hee will so strike thee, that thy wittes shall be amazed: thou shalt grope at noonedayes as in the darke: thou shalt hauehave no more sense or feeling in thy hearte: but thou shalt be altogether blockishe. And heere wee be warned againe, that the chastisements which happen to vsus in our mindes shoulde be more dreadfull vntounto vsus, than all that we can suffer in our bodyes. It is true that our nature draweth vsus cleane contrary; for wee be so tender and nice in our bodyes, that as soone as wee feele anie griefe, by and by we cry out, and leese our patience; and therein we see a part of our brutishnesse. For if we hadde any droppe of stayed vnderstanding, we would a hundreth times bee more afrayde of the chastisementes that God threatneth to oursoules, than of all that euer we can endure in our bodies. In what case is a man, when he is forsaken of GOD, so as he seeketh him not any more, but indeuoreth by al meanes to hyde him from his presence? Surely when we come to that point, if we coulde plucke God out of his seate, we would gladly doe it. Hee that seeketh such hydingholes to conuey himselfe from comming vntounto God; doeth what hee can to robbe him of his maiestie, and hee is loath to come to present himselfe before such a Iudge.
And truely, although a man hauehave no further harme than this blockishnesse, so as hee feeleth not his owne miserie; is it not a token that God hath alreadie giuen him ouer to a reprobate mind? Yes: for there is not a more euident signe of reprobation, than to bee without remorse or scruple of conscience. Moreouer, when a man is frighted and out of his right wittes, in such wise as he woteth not which way to turne him, and hath no more taste or feeling of God, nor can any skill to lament for his sinnes, or to aske forgiuenesse of them, and to repent him of them: but gnasheth his teeth, and by teth the brydle like a Mule: is not that a dreadful thing? When wee beholde such glasse, our hayres stande vp right, and euen nature forceth vsus to it. And yet for all that, if wee thinke not vponupon it, that wee may stande in awe, and walke in feare and humilitie, is it not a tempting of God? Let vsus learne therefore not to harden our selues in such wise as God shoulde bee forced to fall to this rigour, wherewith he doeth here threaten his people: namely, that hee will make them grope as the blinde in the darke, and that they shall hauehave neither vnderstanding in them nor discresion: that hee will make them to fall in such a feare, as they shall not knowe whether they be liuing creatures or no: nor perceiue whether there bee a God that will receiue them to merciemercy, and whether they shall preuaile in calling vponupon his name, or not. Let vsus nor tarrie till such euil doe come vppon vsus. For it is a deepe pitte, out of the which verie fewe can get foorth. In deede God will some times bring his people to that poynt that they shall not knowe where they be, and they shalbee so greatly afrayd and so troubled therewith, that they shall b…come dull & blockish: this is well seene. But hee lifteth them vp againe after that hee hath brought them lowe. Howbeit for as much as this example is very rare, let vsus not tempt our God; but when hee afflicteth vsus in our bodyes, let vsus vnderstande that hee spareth vsus greatly, and that hee mitigateth the rigour of his wrath, and let vsus bee no more so impatient as wee hauehave bin wonted to bee. Albeit that the griefe bee hard and bitter to vsus, yet let vsus confesse: alas: but yet God hath not touched mee in my soule. Let this come alwayes in our rememberaunce, to the ende that wee acknowledging the goodnes of our God in that hee doeth forbeare vsus: may returne vntounto him; and not dout, but that hee is readie to take pitie vppon vsus, when wee seeke vntounto him vnfaynedly. Let that serue for one poynt which wee hauehave to remember in this lesson, where mention is made of the sayde blockishnesse.
Nowe Moses sayeth expressely, that the transgressors of Gods lawe, shall grope at noone day. As if he shoulde say: notwithstanding that God giuegive them many occasions to reioyce, yet shall they be frighted in such sort, as they shall not take hold of any grace, but be as blinde wretches. Seeing it is so, let vsus mark farther that although God doe mitigate our greefes, and comforteth vsus; yet doeth that serue vsus to no purpose, if he giuegive vsus not the wisedome to vnderstande his goodnesse. And we must vnderstand, that wee are not able to enioye the good that GOD offereth vntounto vsus, when wee be destitute of his holy Spirite. And this is one execution of that threatning that is here mentioned. True it is that we shoulde alwayes returne to this poynt, that our Lorde desireth not the vtter confusion of sinners: but yt forsomuch as such miseries doe happen oftentimes, we should not tarie till they light vponupon our heads; but rather seeke the remedie, to the end that God hauehave not occasion to withdrawe himselfe from vsus. Howesoeuer the case standeth, let vsus first of all marke, that God directeth this doctrine to such as hauehave bin trained in his worde, as we hauehave already sayd. It is certaine that he is Iudge of the world: yet notwithstanding wee well deserue to bee chastised, after a more boystrous fashion, when wee hauehave beene taught at his mouth, and hauehave reiected his will, and bee so farre foorth corrupted that wee make but a iest of his word: and that whereas hee sought to retayne vsus as his people; wee hauehave despised him. It is verie meete therefore that wee shoulde bee grieuously punished, and therefore let vsus thinke, that seeing God doeth vsus the fauour to let vsus hauehave the pure doctrine of the holy scripture, the same serueth to bereaue vsus of all excuses, and also to quicken vsus vp to walke so much the more in feare.
But herewithall let vsus marke farther, that God doth not onelyonly vse threatnings towards vsus, but also dayly exhort and allure vsus vntounto him, to reconcile vsus to him: shewing that for his parte, hee is readie to come to attonement, so wee condemne our sinnes, and returne to his merciemercy. What else is the Gospell, that wee heare eueryevery daye, but a message of reconciliation, as Saint Paul calleth it in the seconde to the Corinthians?2. Cor. 5. 1…. Seeing then that God sendeth vsus a herault to declare peace vntounto vsus, and to shewe that he is ready to doe away all our offences, let vsus take heede, that wee vse this time of our Saluation, to receiue ye grace that is offered vntounto vsus in due season, as the Prophet Esay telleth vsus, and as Saint Paul sayth,2. Cor. 6.2. vsing the same testimonie. Againe when we hauehave bin ouermuch hardened, and that God hath patiently wayted for vsus, and wee still continue in our sinnes: let vsus not thinke that he in the end hath either giuen ouer or forgotten his office. We must needs yeeld an account of such vnthankfulnesse. When wee forsake the Saluation whereunto he called vsus, and despise him out of measure: such wilful stubburnesse must of necessitie come to reckening. Then let vsus stande in feare: and as often as wee heare speaking of the grace of God which is offered vntounto vsus in our Lorde Iesus Christ, let our heartes be enclined to receiue it: and let vsus giuegive way vntounto God to come in. And when wee goe vntounto him, let it bee doone with bewayling our sinnes, and with yeelding ourselues guiltie, not onelyonly in worde of mouth, but also with such griefe of heart, as may prooue that the euil displeaseth vsus. And when wee thus mislike of our selues, let vsus not abyde till our Lorde put in execution the threatenings that hee setteth foorth heere, but let vsus turne them to our commoditie. And when wee heare the promises of the Gospell, let vsus remember the threatenings also: that wee may bee so much the more prouoked, and eueryevery man make haste to receiue the good which is offered vntounto vsus to enioy and to possesse, vnlesse the fault bee in our selues.
Nowe let vsus cast downe our selues before the maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgement of our sinnes: beseeching him to make vsus to feele them yet better, vntill wee bee vtterly beaten downe in our selues, and seeke for the remedie whereunto hee calleth vsus: namely, that beeing guyded by his holy spirite, wee may increase and profite more and more in all holinesse and righteousnesse, and that wee may endeuour so to glorifie him in all our whole life; as in the ende wee may attayne to that same euerlasting glory, vntounto the which hee calleth vsus: And so let vsus all say: Almightie God heauenly father, &c.