Sermons on Deuteronomy, Sermons · Sermon 141
On Tewsday the xj. of February, 1556. The CXLI. Sermon which is the sixth vponupon the foure and twentith Chapter.
19 When thou cuttest downe thine haruest in thy feelde, and hast forgotten a sheafe in the feeld, thou shalt not returne backe againe to fetch it: but it shalbee for the stranger, for the fatherlesse, and for the widowe, that the Lorde thy God may blesse thee in all the workes of thy hands.
20 When thou gatherest thine Oliues, thou shalt not returne againe to seeke ouer the braunches, but it shalbee for the stranger, for the fatherlesse, and for the widowe.
21 VVhen thou gatherest thy vineyard, thou shalt not gather the grapes which thou happenest to leaue behinde thee: but they shalbe for the stranger, for the fatherlesse, and for the widowe.
22 Remember that thou wast a seruant in the lande of Egypt, therefore I commaund thee to do this thing.
WE hauehave seene heretofore howe God ordayned, that in gathering in of the haruest,…. 13.24 and of the grapes of the vineyarde, they which were hyred, might whyle they were reaping and gathering of the grapes, eate their fill. And this permission hee gaue vntounto them, to shewe, that the rich must not so swallowe vp all thinges, but that they must alwayes bestowe some portion on the poore; eueryevery man according vntounto the plentie and aboundance which hee hath. For see heere with what condition God leaueth his goods in rich mens handes; namely, to the intent that hauing the abilitie, they shoulde also take occasion to relieue their neighbours which are in necessitie. And so this kindnesse and gentlenesse ought to bee amongest vsus, that hee which hath wherewithall to bee liberal, shoulde bestowe some parte of his aboundance vppon his neighbours. And although none bee rated touching his liberalitie, by way of taxe or sessement, yet neuerthelesse eueryevery man ought to thinke that God hath giuen him plentie of corne and wine vppon condition, that he should bestowe some parte thereof on them which are in neede and necessitie. That which we hauehave nowe recited, tendeth to the same effect. For God ordayneth that when a man cutteth down his haruest, gathereth his grapes; or beateth his Oliue trees, (as wee with vsus doe our walnuttes) hee shoulde not bee so couetous as to …ake in the vtmost eare of corne, to looke for the last grape, or to seeke after eueryevery Oliue: but that hee which gathereth in the corne of his feelde, shoulde leaue somewhat after him for the poore to gleane, as for the fatherlesse, for the widowes, and for the straungers which hauehave no landes nor possessions of their owne. Yee see what a reasonable lawe God setteth vsus downe in this place, to the intent wee should knowe, that if God hath giuen vsus aboundance of goods beyonde our owne vse, wee ought not to bee ouer niggish of them: but that they which stande in neede, must bee some way releeued and succoured by vsus. There is also a promise added to correct that distrust which is in men. For God sayeth that when men shall so doe, hee will encrease their wealth which hauehave beene liberall to helpe the poore and needie. And besides this, hee putteth the Iewes in minde, that it is hee by whome they were brought into that lande which they possessed, & that they helde it at his hande. As if the chiefe Lorde of the fee shoulde say vntounto them which holde of his tenure: What? The lande you hauehave is mine, and I hauehave graunted it vntounto you with condition that I shall receiue at leastwise the rentes and seruices. God therefore in token of a kinde of homage, reserueth vntounto himselfe, the gleaning and other thinges for the poore that come after to gather the grapes and the oliues which are left behinde. God sayeth that these are royalties which belong vntounto him, and that hee giueth and bestoweth them on such as hauehave neede: and therefore, that the riche men ought not to bee grieued therewith, as if they had lost any thing, or as if their owne goods were taken from them: for God saith, al is mine. Ye see then in effect what is here conteined. Now let vsus note well, that God meaneth not yt the poore should be in such wise relieued, as that the rich should be spoyled of that which they possesse. For what a confusion and disorder would that breede? We must therfore note, that God leaueth vntounto eueryevery man whatsoeuer he possesseth, either by way of inheritance, or by buying, or by any other iust and lawfull title. And hereby the poore ar warned, not to ransack or make hauock of whatsoeuer commeth in their way, as many doe, which think they may snatch away any thing by good right, so they be not punished by law, nor hauehave any to witnesse against them. What? I hauehave great neede sayeth one. Yea, but what neede soeuer a man standeth in, yet God will not hauehave the ciuil order broken, and all right peruerted. If the rich discharge not their dueties, but be so cruell as to suffer the poore to dye in their neede, they shall render an account thereof, but that shalbe before the heauenly Iudge. But in the meane while the poore ought to take thinges patiently, they must abstaine from all malice, from al rauine, from all pilling and spoyling. This then ought to be diligētly obserued in the first place. For our Lord sayth not in this place: he which hath need of corne in haruest time, let him take a reaphook, and go and cut his neighbors corne to carrie it to the mill: but he speaketh only of leasing after the haruest is in. But a man shall see perilous gleaners nowadayes. For if a man set not diligent watch ouer his possessions, eueryevery body will take his share; men are growen to such vnrulinesse, that there is no vpright dealing vsed: men hauehave no regarde to thinke that God hath distributed the goods of this worlde according vntounto his owne good pleasure, and that his will is, that hee which is richest should possesse that which hee holdeth, and that no man shoulde doe him any wrong for it: no not although hee bee one of the vnsatiable gulfes, which thinke they hauehave neuer ynough. Yet for all that God will not hauehave any man to touche their goods or to doe them any wrong. But this is little regarded. And so although God directes his talke in this place expressely to the riche; yet neuerthelesse hee giueth the poore a lesson also, and meaneth to brydle them from going into another mans feelde to conuey away secretely what they can catch, and from entring into their neighbours vineyarde to gather grapes at their pleasure. Nay, he will hauehave them to abstaine from other mens goods, vntill such tyme as they may gleane after the haruest, and gather the grapes which remaine after the vintage. For this leaue is granted them, so they come not to spoyle like theeues, but to take that which God hath reserued for them. And in verie deede wee suffer dogges to eate the crummes and other scrappes which fall vnderunder the tables: and shall wee not suffer our brethren, which are made to the image and likenesse of God? Ought not they to hauehave part of our aboundance, so as they might come and hauehave at leastwise some little pittance to licke vp? What great matter is it to gather the grapes which are left when the vintage is gathered? What great matter is it to gleane after the haruest? Verilie it is but a small thing. And therfore it were too too excessiue crueltie in men, if they which hauehave lands & possessions, after they hauehave gathered in the fruite of them, will yet bee such niggards as not to permit ye poore to hauehave that which they might gather after them. But because men are so distrustfull, that they thinke the whole earth will fayle them, God to make this doctrine more auailable sayeth: I will make thee to prosper, thou shalt bee encreased and multiplyed through my blessing and fauour, when thou doest so. There is no doubt but God meant in this place to correct the vnbeleefe which raigneth ouermuch in vsus, in that eueryevery of vsus thinketh that hee shall neuer hauehave ynough: O sayeth one, such misfortune may betyde mee. I must prouide for such a harde time. And this is the cause why men snatche and scratche to themselues on all sides and cannot bee satisfied, but the more they hauehave the more is their couetous desire inflamed, as hee which is sicke of the dropsie, the more hee drinketh the more hee thyrsteth. And what is the cause hereof? Euen our diuelish vnbeleefe and distrustfulnesse in that wee consider not that it is Gods owne office to nourish vsus. And whereas wee aske of him eueryevery day our dayly bread, there is not one among an hundred which vnderstandeth what is meant by that worde: for wee desire to be fedde at Gods handes. The riche vse this fourme of prayer aswell as the poore; and confesse thereby that they so possesse their goods, as if God gaue them a portion eueryevery daye for their nourishment, and that that whatsoeuer they hauehave in their garner, they doe receiue it at his hande. But none thinketh hereon. And that is the cause why men are so insatiable, and burne with such couetousnesse, that they are alwayes raking to themselues, and making vp huge heapes of wealth, and are neuer contented. Will wee then liue contentedly? Let vsus hauehave our recourse vntounto God, knowing that if hee blesse vsus, wee shall hauehave sufficient wherewithall to bee sustayned and nourished. To this intent therefore is this promise set downe here, that God wil blesse them which are no such niggardes towardes the poore, but that they suffer and permit them to bee someway releeued by gleaning and gathering the small frute which is left behinde. And so as often as wee are moued to doe any almes, let vsus call this warning to mynde and correct our niggardlinesse thereby, which proceedeth (as I tolde you) from this distrust of ours, that wee consider not that it is God which must prouide for vsus.
Nowe it is true in deede, that when we giuegive an almes wee are not constrayned to ridde our selues cleane of all that wee hauehave. For Saint Paul sheweth that God spareth vsus heerein.2. Cor. 8.14 I say not (sayeth hee) that the poore must take that which the riche hauehave, but that at leastwise of your aboundance, you must succour such as are in neede, and see them somewhat releeued by you, as who woulde saye: It is not ynough that I hauehave for mine owne vse, and that God shewe himselfe so liberall towardes mee so as I want nothing; but forasmuch as I see my neighbours pyne away through neede, they must hauehave some portion of that which is mine, and they must at leastwise feele somewhat of the blessing of God, when I am at mine ease. That is the thing whereunto saint Paul leadeth vsus. So then let vsus profite our selues by this place where it is sayde: Thou shalt gather in the fruite of thy vineyarde, thou shalt cut downe the haruest of thy feelde, thou shalt beate thy Oliue trees, knowing that it is a speciall priuiledge, which God giueth vntounto men, and which we ought to esteeme well of, when eueryevery man possesseth his owne without gainsaying, so as hee which hath a feelde, gathereth the corne to maintaine himselfe & his familie, and hee which hath a vineyarde, reapeth the commoditie of the wine. Seeing the Lord granteth this vntounto vsus, let vsus acknowledge his fatherly goodnes towardes vsus: and let it stirre vsus vp to releeue and succour thē which are in neede and distresse: and when wee see the poore languishing in their miseries, and oppressed with necessitie, let vsus bee mooued with some pitie towardes them; let their case touch vsus to the quicke: and albeit in respect of men wee may say: This is mine; yet notwithstanding, let vsus hauehave an eye vntounto GOD, who hath bestowed it on vsus vnderunder condition that we shoulde not keepe all of it in our owne handes, but distribute it in such wise as wee see agreeable on the one side to our owne abilitie, and on the other, to the neede and necessitie of our neighbours.
But let vsus returne to the promise. For as I tolde you, a man might say: Well, I hauehave wherewith to finde mee this yeare: but what shall I hauehave for the yeare which followeth? A man must not assure himselfe of that which he hath: For the corne which hee hath in his garners may bee consumed: God can soone cause it to vanish. And it must not bee in way of hypocrisie that wee must saye, GiueGive vsus this day our daily or ordinarie breade. For thereby wee confesse, that they which hauehave neuer so much, hauehave nothing at all, except God make it auaileable to their vse. So then let eueryevery man hauehave consideration to say: What may this boote mee? Although I bee stored and furnished with all thinges; yet God may bereaue mee of all: he hath the heauens in his hande to shut them vp, and hee sayeth that hee will make the heauens as harde as yron,…. 26.19 and the earth shalbee hardened like brasse, so that wee shall not wring out of it one droppe of sustenance for vsus. Will wee then that the Lorde who hath hitherto fed vsus, and beene our foster father, euen vntounto this present time, shall continue to doe the like vntounto the ende? Let vsus take heede that wee distrust not his goodnes, and thereby bee hindered to bee kyndhearted towardes them which hauehave neede of our helpe. Let vsus therefore helpe them, yea, euen without staying vppon any other thing than this present promise, That the blessing of God shalbee vppon vsus. Let vsus be enclyned vntounto pitie and compassion, to releeue them which stande in neede of our helpe, knowing that when God hath giuen vsus one good yeare, if wee bee gentle and kindhearted to succour our neighbours, hee will alwayes encrease his benefites and blessings more and more vponupon vsus: as Saint Paul also sheweth in the second Epistle to the Corinthians,2. Cor. 8. & 9. Chapt. where hee handleth this matter at large. Let vsus therefore hauehave this alwayes before our eyes, as ye verie point whereunto the scripture leadeth vsus: namely yt we must be fully assured, and thorowlie resolued, that our Lord wil neuer forget vsus. Whē we are once thorowly perswaded of this, doubtles we wil esteeme more of the onlie blessing of God, than of all yt euer we might hauehave gathered & heaped vp together. Though we hauehave al ye prouision in ye world: it would not suffice vsus so well as this onlie contentment will doe, to say: I hauehave my God which hath promised not to forget me, but to continue his bountifulnes alwayes vntounto me: I hauehave euer found him liberall towards me euen vntill this day, and hee wil doe yet more for me, if I cōmit my selfe wholie vntounto him and to his prouidēce. Ye see then what we are to learne as touching this promise.
Let vsus come now vntounto that which God addeth, that is: That the Iewes were seruants in Egypt, and that he brought them out from thence: (as we saw yesterday.) But he repeateth the same thing againe, & that not without good cause. For as it was yesterday touched, if men be welthie, there is much crouching vntounto them because of their riches, they separate themselues as it were from mankinde, and they beare themselues in hand that they are a degree aboue them, & the poore may not touche any thing of theirs. To bee short, if God would hauehave beleueed them, he should hauehave made a seueral world for them: for to their seeming, the poore are not woorthie to hauehave any dwelling with them. And that is because they are not touched with other mens afflictions, to saie: Alas behold he is my flesh, how wreched soeuer he be, as the prophet Esaie saith,Esa. 58.7. Col. 3.12. 1. Iohn. 3.17 who leadeth vsus to ye minding of this point, when hee woulde hauehave vsus enclyned to pitie and compassion, so as our bowels shoulde yearne at the afflictions of our brethren, as the scripture speaketh. But there is not one which thinketh hereon. God therefore perceiuing that riches doe blinde men in such wise, and that their eyes are readie to burst, (for that is the similitude) which Dauid vseth in the 73. Psalme) sayeth: Remember that thou wast a seruaunt in the lande of Egypt. And so whereas the Iewes are exhorted in this wise, it is to the intent they shoulde not bee puffed vp with pride through their aboundance, or that beeing fatte and well fed, they should not become like restie Iades as it is saide in the song: but that they shoulde alwayes bethinke themselues thus: Wee were sometimes in bondage, and that in such cruell bondage, as none could bee greater, wee were in thraldo…e like poore slaues, but God hath deliuered vsus. The remembrance of this one thing ought to abate all the pryde of the Iewes, and moreouer to leade them to pitifull compassion to helpe those which were poore and needie among them.
As for example, if there were straungers which had neither vineyardes nor other possessions: if there were widowes and fatherlesse among them, they ought to think: Alas, when our fathers were cruelly afflicted in the lande of Egypt, they woulde faine hauehave beene somewhat releeued: is it not reason then that wee nowe shoulde doe the like? This (say I) is the meaning of God, when hee speaketh of the bondage of Egypt. Moreouer, hee warneth the Iewes (as wee hauehave declared afore) that they possesse not the lande of Chanaan for their inheritaunce by any other title, than because it was giuen them by GOD. It is therefore all one as if the chiefe Lorde shoulde require his royalties, his homage, & his other right, which are due vntounto him. For God seemeth thus to say: I hauehave giuen you the land of Chanaan: but I hauehave reserued the gleaning & such like things for my selfe. And therefore deceiue mee not of that which is mine. Beholde, I appoynt the poore in my behalfe to goe and gather vp these things.
Nowe as for vsus, it is true in deede that wee dwell not in the land of Chanaan, as did the Iewes, wee hauehave no such order of gouernement as they had, neither are we of the stocke of Abraham, there are no such portions of land allotted vsus as are written of in Iosua; and yet neuerthelesse this ought alwayes to bee in force amongest vsus; that hee which is of wealth, is bounde according to his measure and aboundance, to releeue them which are in need. Saint Paul speaketh not vntounto the Iewes,2. Cor. 8.14. he speaketh not for the time of the figures vnderunder the lawe, but hee setteth foorth this doctrine & this rule vntounto all the faithfull in generall, and will hauehave men obserue it vntill the ende of the worlde. Therefore let vsus note that whensoeuer through our niggardlinesse wee withdrawe our selues from helping our neighbours as wee ought, we are reprooued by this worde: What? whatsoeuer thou hast, thou hast it from the hande of God. And vnderunder what condition? For see I pray you, how men discharge them selues with slightnesse; What? sayeth one. Is not this mine? Yes, but yet oughtest thou to bee kindehearted towardes such as are in neede. For art thou riche? It is not because of thy faire eyes [as they say.] In deede God hath giuen more to thee than to many others: but for all that, hath hee reserued nothing for himselfe? Hath he giuen all ouer vntounto thee to make hauock of it? Although eueryevery man enioy his owne feelde, and his owne vineyarde, although eueryevery man eate of his owne corne and drinke of his owne wine, must charitie therefore cease and bee layde aside?Col. 3.14. Must it bee diminished? Is it not in degree aboue all the ciuil orders and lawes in the worlde? Is it not the bonde of perfection? So then they which are by nature such miserable pinchpennies and such niggardes, they which whyne so when they shoulde giuegive an almes, and are as willing to doe it as a Beare to goe to the stake: let them fight against that vice of theirs, in such wise as our Lorde sheweth vsus in this place, and let them say: Howe nowe? That which thou hast is none of thine, sauing that thy God hath giuen it thee. Consider nowe what couenant hee hath made with thee. It is not that thou shouldest bee a gulfe to deuour and swallowe vp all, but to the intent that thy brethren shoulde bee somewhat relieued by thee, and hee vouchsafeth thee the honour to bee the disposer of his goods. If God gaue me no more than I needed, yea, if I had not a crum of breade more than woulde feede mee: yet were that verie much: and coulde I euer discharge my selfe of my duetie to magnifie him sufficiently for that his bountifulnesse & goodnesse towardes mee? No verily. But when as hee giueth a man more than hee needeth, hee appointeth him after a sorte to represent his owne person, as if hee shoulde saye, Whereas it is my propertie to doe good: for all good thinges proceede from mee: It is I which make the earth to yeelde fruite: It is I which do giuegive it strength to bring foorth her fruites: I doe as it were giuegive him mine owne office, and assigne him to bee as it were my lieuetenaunt: and howe greate an honour is that? All the riche therefore which hauehave wherewith to doe good, are doutlesse as it were the officers of God to exercise that which is properly belonging vntounto him, to wit, to helpe their neighbours to liue. Therefore sith God vouchsafeth vsus such honour; are not we too shamefully malicious and more beastly than the beasts themselues, if wee bee not mooued with pitie and compassion towardes the poore? So then let vsus remember this worde when it is sayde, that God gaue the land of Chanaan vntounto his people on condition, that the rich shoulde pittie the poore: and at this daye let vsus applye this doctrine vntounto our selues, according vntounto that forealleaged warning which Saint Paul giueth vsus.
Nowe wee are likewise warned in generall, to acknowledge the miseries wherein wee were when God reached out his hande vntounto vsus, to the intent wee may bee so much the more feruent to serue and honour him, and to yeeld our selues wholly vntounto his obedience. And that extendeth verie farre: for in generall when God meaneth to presse vsus more neerely to discharge our dueties towardes him, and that eueryevery one shoulde dedicate him selfe wholy vntounto his seruice; hee putteth vsus in minde that hee hath drawen vsus from out of the deepest dungeon of death, and that wee were sometimes the bondslaues of Satan, that wee were helde fast bounde vnderunder eternall damnation, & (to be short) that we were as good as plunged in hell. Loe what inheritaunce wee hauehave by our birth, vntill GOD cast his eye vppon vsus, and of his merciemercy drawe vsus out of the horrible confusion wherein wee are and which wee bring with vsus.
But nowe let vsus looke vntounto our first birth of all: Our Lorde created vsus after his own image and likenesse. It is true: but that was wholly defaced and wiped out in vsus by the sinne of Adam: wee are accursed, wee are by nature shut out from all hope of life: but behold our God hath redeemed vsus by the bloud of his sonne, & hath opened vntounto vsus the gate of heauen. Howe much therefore are wee bounde vntounto him, if we consider our first estate, and what wee were before hee aduaunced vsus vntounto this dignitie? And this is not yet all, wee were also wretched vnbeleeuers. For albeit that Iesus Christ was the redeemer of the whole worlde, yet had wee as much as lay in vsus, renounced that benefite, nay wee had falsified our baptisme, whereby God from our infancie had marked vsus, to say that wee should bee of his house and of his Church. And howe hauehave wee liued all the time that wee were Idolaters? Wee hauehave annihilated Gods grace, whereby he had called vsus to him, at leastwise as much as laye in vsus: but the goodnesse of God alwayes surmounted, and his truth was so firme and sure, that it hath ouercome all the wickednesse of men: in so much that though they hauehave beene vnfaithfull, yet notwithstanding GOD continueth still to shewe himselfe faithfull, so that the baptisme which wee had defaced, remayneth still in his full force: but it is not long of vsus; for as I sayde afore: wee were plunged in all vncleannesse and filthines: and were so defiled both in bodie and soule with all manner of defilementes, that wee coulde not bee but estraunged wholly from God. But yet hath hee plucked vsus backe againe; and as nowe we bee become citizens of the kingdome of heauen,… and are reconciled vntounto him, and are adopted for his children, and yet wee are vnthankfull vntounto him, yea, and we growe prowd against him; insomuch that diuerse presume wonderously of themselues, and yet knowe not that they are beholding vntounto God for all the good which they hauehave. Yee see then how wee be moued to humble our selues, and that in acknowledging the benefites and giftes which we hauehave receiued of God, wee ought to endeuour to vse them so, as all may bee referred vntounto his honour, that hee may bee serued of vsus, and eueryevery of vsus apply himselfe, first vntounto his obedience, and then to hauehave cōpassion of our neighbours.
When wee beholde the wretched vnbeleeuers in the Popedome, which are still carryed away so headlōg in ignorance and in the damnable superstitions of Papistrie: alas wee ought to thinke that wee were like vntounto them, vntill God deliuered vsus from thence: and that wee are forgetfull heereof through contempt, as wee see that many disdayne the Papistes and mocke them, and hauehave no pitie of them. And why? Because they consider not what they themselues hauehave beene; ne magnifie the grace of God to saye: If God had not reached vsus his hande, what had become of vsus? Wee had remayned in our destruction, wherewith we had beene ouerwhelmed. Let vsus therefore thinke hereupon when wee beholde them which are yet as it were reiected and forsaken of God: let vsus knowe that our case and theirs was alike: and let it mooue vsus to humilitie, that all pryde may bee cast downe, and wee endeuour to winne them, as much as lyeth in vsus, which are yet wandering from the way of saluation: let vsus acknowledge that wee had once neede of such helpe and succour, and that God was not niggardly towardes vsus, to the intent that wee for our parte shoulde not bee negligent to employ our selues likewise for our neyghbour, & by that meanes shewe that wee are his children, seeing it hath pleased him to shewe himselfe a father towardes vsus. Nowe I graunt that there are many which are wonderfully greeued when a man putteth them in minde what they hauehave beene in time past.
If a man bee become riche and is aduaunced to honour, hee woulde hauehave no man to remember him what hee was afore: but hee is carryed away with such an headlesse ouerweening, that hee surely thinketh that hee is fallen from the clowdes, and woulde gladly so blinde the eyes of the whole worlde, than men shoulde consider nothing but his present excellencie. But our Lorde, notwithout cause, bringeth vsus backe agayne. And why? For (as I tolde you) men are subiect to this forgetting of them selues when God hath once exalted them, and thereupon they disdayne their neighbours, and pride ingendreth crueltie: (as it is said in the sixteenth Chapter of Ezechiell,) where Sodome is set downe for an example thereof. God sayth that the pride which was founde in Sodome, prouoked his wrath and vengeance against that citie. For when they had once aboundaunce of all things, and were growen fatte, when they had meate and drinke at will: then began they (saith hee) to bee puffed vp in pryde, and afterwarde withdrewe their handes from the poore, and thought that it was ynough, so that they themselues were furnished. Let vsus therefore know, that our Lorde perceiuing the vice whereunto wee are ouermuch enclyned and giuen, meant to prouide such remedie for it, as hee knewe to bee fit and conuenient for our saluation. So then if wee bethinke our selues well, wee shall alwayes finde iust reason to moue vsus vntounto kindnesse towardes our neighbours. There is yet another thing which ought to induce vsus heereunto, namely, if wee consider thus with ourselues: euen that I am a man, and that I am endued with some speciall qualitie aboue others, it is of God; I am beholden to him for it, it is he that hath giuen mee that prerogatiue. But how soeuer I fare, I cannot cut my selfe off from mankinde: I am descended from the stocke of Adam which is wholly accursed: and as for that knowledge which I hauehave of Gods trueth, it is a speciall gifte which hee hath giuen mee: I hauehave it not by nature: and farther I am subiect to all the miseries and wretchednesses in the worlde: if I bee to day in honour, to morrowe God may put mee to infamie and shame: if I be in health, God may cast mee into sicknesse. Wee see how Kings and Princes themselues hauehave beene eaten vp sometimes with vermine and with rottennesse,Act. 12.23. and hauehave beene so stinking, that they hauehave loathed euen themselues; whereby a man might perceiue the hande of God visibly vppon them. Therefore when wee see such examples, it ought to humble vsus. And shall not this humilitie breede a brotherly kindheartednesse in vsus to helpe our neighbours, or at least wise to bewayle and to pitie the miserie wherein they are, seeking as much as lyeth in vsus to relieue and succour them? So then let vsus alwayes thinke on this: Thou wast a seruaunt in the lande of Egypt, and therefore I commaunde thee to doe thus.
Nowe when our Lorde sayeth, I commaund thee to doe so, he taketh that as granted, which I hauehave alreadie touched, to wit, that because hee is the Redeemer of this people, therefore they are bounde vntounto him. You owe all thinges vntounto mee (sayeth hee): and seeing it is so, I will hauehave you pay such a tribute in way of reknowledging of those goods and lands, which you holde of mee: and I require nothing but that which is mine. Nowe when wee hauehave wel considered hereuppon, let vsus take the exposition hereof as Saint Paul deliuereth it vntounto vsus in the fourteenth Chapter of his Epistle to the Romanes: and wee shall see howe profitable this doctrine is for vsus. For, for this cause (sayeth he) Iesus Christ dyed and rose againe, to the intent that wee should be his, both while wee liue and when wee dye. Beholde here a bond which wee cannot escape, and woe be vntounto him which seeketh to exempt himselfe from it: to wit, to dedicate both our life and death vntounto his seruice, who hath so loued vsus and helde vsus so deare, that hee hath not spared his owne life, to winne vsus vntounto himselfe and vntounto God his father. Seeing then that hee hath so redeemed vsus, that we are his inheritance, and that hee declareth that we are wholie his, & that wee belong properly vntounto him, it is good reason that whensoeuer hee commaundeth vsus any thing, wee should lay our hande on our mouth, and receiue without any gainsaying whatsoeuer he putteth vntounto vsus. For seeing hee is our Redeemer and that wee hold of him whatsoeuer wee hauehave, are wee not ouer blockish, if wee submit not our selues vntounto him and rest altogither on his will? And that is the cause also why GOD vseth this preface in his lawe:Exod. 20.2. I am the euerliuing thy God which hauehave brought thee out of the lande of Egypt. Before that God setteth downe any commaundement to rule the life of his people by, hee saith: Know yee that I hauehave alreadie purchased you to serue mee. I graunt wee hauehave not beene brought out of the lande of Egypt; but yet the redemption which hath beene wrought for vsus is much more precious: for wee are deliuered from the bottomlesse pit of hell. For as much therefore as wee of our owne nature are so slowe to serue God, or rather so restie, that wee drawe cleane backewarde from his will: because wee receiue not the yoke quietly, but are as young vntamed and vnhandled heiffers, or rather as stiffenecked buls. For we see how some are so headstrong and brainsicke, that a man can by no meanes rule them; and others are spitefull and froward, full of rebellion, and vnreclaymable. Sith we see it is so harde a matter to bring vsus in subiection vnderunder GOD; let vsus quicken vp our selues in this sort and saye: Howe nowe? Knowest thou not who it is that speaketh? Is it not hee who hath redeemed vsus? And seeing that wee are his, must hee hauehave so much a doe to winne vsus vntounto himselfe? Shal wee so resist him? Must hee bee fayne to fight with vsus when hee woulde frame vsus to his wil? Doe not we shewe our selues monsters in so dooing? And are we not to be holden for detestable persons? Verily if wee looke well to our selues, wee shall finde that this is not the onelyonly cause whereby wee are bound vntounto God: hee might vpbrayde vsus with his creating of vsus. And if wee bee his creatures, is it not good reason that hee shoulde quietly hauehave the maystrie of vsus? And what creatures are wee? He shalbee serued of the Oxen and Asses, hee shalbee serued of the earth which is without all sense and feeling, and of corne and of wine and of all other senselesse thinges: for wee see howe God imployeth them as it seemeth good vntounto him. But hee hath created vsus after his owne image and likenesse. Was he bounde to make vsus reasonable creatures, and to giuegive vsus such excellencie and dignitie? Nay verily. Let vsus knowe then that it ought to mooue vsus to yeelde our selues wholly vntounto his obedience, for asmuch as wee see that hee hath preferred vsus before asses, horses, dogges, and other beastes, and before stones and other dead and senselesse creatures. But there is yet more (as I hauehave sayde) to wit, the redemption which God hath wrought for vsus; which deserueth that wee shoulde suffer our selues to bee gouerned by him: and that whensoeuer he speaketh, it is to be presupposed that he hath all authoritie ouer vsus, and that hee borroweth it not any where else, but hath it dewe vntounto him, as vntounto our soueraigne King.
But let vsus farther note, that God meaneth not to wrest from vsus any seruile or forcible subiection, but woulde hauehave vsus of our owne good will quietly to yeelde vntounto that which he saieth. Why vseth hee these wordes: Thou wast a seruant, but I hauehave nowe set thee at libertie? There is no dout but that hee meant to winne vsus vntounto him selfe by this myldnesse. As if hee had said: Go to, I might in deede constrayn you to serue mee: but I will hauehave you to serue me with a free heart: I will hauehave you like a chylde which taketh pleasure in obeying and pleasing of his father: I will not holde you as slaues and bondemen, but I woulde hauehave you offer your selues vp vntounto mee as it were in sacrifice. Nowe wee knowe that the sacrifices which wee offer vntounto God must bee offered with a free good wil & al yt euer he requireth of vsus, he caleth sacrifices. And therfore let vsus note, yt by his receiuing of vsus vntounto himselfe, after hee hath redeemed vsus, he giueth vsus to vnderstand yt he meaneth not to hale vsus to him by force, nor to hamper vsus with cordes and chaines, nor to wrest I knowe not what from vsus, neither cōmeth he like a sherife or bay life to leuy any thing of vsus; but exhorteth vsus mieldely: and sheweth vsus that sith he hath redeemed vsus, it is good reason that we should be his and also all that euer hee hath put into our handes: And that seeing wee holde all of him, and by those thinges hee testifieth his fatherlie goodnesse towardes vsus: therefore wee ought to bee so much the more moued and enclined too doe whatsoeuer it shall please him to commaund vsus. And that is the cause also why the holy scripture vseth such amiable speeches as these: I exhorte you:… Cor. 5.…0. I pray you. When Saint Paule spake, hee might hauehave vsed the authoritie of God. For when we bring the lawe, when we reprehende vices, when we exhort vntounto that which is commaunded vsus; surely it is God that speaketh: and wee t…ke it from him whatsoeuer wee vtter with our mouthes. But yet God in the person of saint Paul prayeth vsus: and therefore wee ought to be ashamed, if wee yeelde not thereunto, ne be meekened therewith, what hardenesse soeuer be in vsus. So then let eueryevery of vsus learne to quicken vp himselfe, when we see such loosenesse in our selues, and that we are so slowe that wee rather recoyle backewarde than set ourselues forwarde to any good thing. Consider O wretched creature after what sort thy God directeth his speech vntounto thee: hee commeth familiarly vntounto thee: hee sayeth not, Beholde I am your king: I hauehave all rule and superioritie ouer you, and therefore I must handle you roughly: hee speaketh not after that manner: but he sayeth: I am come nigh vntounto you. And for what cause else but to be your sauiour? And this hee doeth not for his owne profite, but for our saluation: therefore sith wee see that our Lorde vseth such gentlenesse and mildenesse towardes vsus, wee ought to fare the better by it eueryevery one of vsus, & to take occasion thereby to quicken vp ourselues the better in our duties.
And let vsus note also howe God sayth: I commaunde thee to doe so. And why? To the intent we should listen vntounto his mouth, & depende wholely thereupon: and not eueryevery man order himselfe after his owne fancie and say: O I doe this in the honour of God, and is it not ynough? EueryEvery man must not bring his owne opinion before God, to say: We must do this or that because we thinke it to be good: but God will hauehave men simply to hearken and to follow without any exception, whatsoeuer hee calleth them vntounto. And whē he leadeth vsus in this wise vntounto his own will, it is all one as if he had cut off all those excuses to say: And when I doe thus, will it not do well if I vse such a meane? GOD (I say) will not hauehave vsus to take such aduauntage of him, that eueryevery one should order himselfe according to his owne pleasure: but hee will hauehave his worde hearkened vntounto, and obeyed without any gainesaying. So then will wee hauehave a certaine rule? Wil we not wander in our life as wild and sauage beastes? Let vsus heare God speake; and hauing heard him, let vsus hold ourselues vntounto that which he sayth: and let vsus not presume to bring in our replyes and say: yea and this would do well, and that were not amisse. But let vsus bethinke ourselues thus: Doth God commaund vsus to doe so? It is not ynough to put ye whole world to silence, and to bridle not onelyonly our tongues, but also our heartes, so as we presume not to go against him, but yeelde him the honour which he requireth, and say: Lorde we are heere: And then if we wil speake; it must be but to say, Amen Lorde. And therefore when he commaundeth vsus any thing, let vsus knowe that we must yeelde our consentes vntounto it, and that not by force or constraint, but willingly; and we must obey it, not by halfes, but fully and wholely, and not vsurpe any such libertie, as to doe whatsoeuer wee thinke good, but suffer him to gouerne vsus and to beare rule ouer our thoughtes and workes, that we may altogether be his.
Nowe let vsus kneele downe in the presence of our good God, with acknowledgement of our sinnes, praying him to make vsus to feele them more and more. And because he hath bestowed all thinges vponupon vsus, and sheweth himselfe so liberall a father towardes vsus, let vsus for our parte endeuour to shewe ourselues his children, enforcing ourselues to doe well, and to relieue and succour them which are in neede. And forasmuch as we feele ourselues so far indebted vntounto our GOD, let vsus be stirred vp the more to acknowledge this inestimable benefite that hee hath done for vsus when it pleased him to draw vsus out of the gulfe of hell, and hath called vsus to the hope of euerlasting life, in the which he mainetaineth and preserueth vsus dayly by his worde: and pray we him to confirme vsus therein better and better, vntill he hath brought vsus into the full possession and enioying of that euerlasting inheritaunce which he hath promised vntounto vsus, and which hee hath purchased for vsus by the bloude of our Lorde Iesus Christ. That it may please him to graunt this grace, not onelyonly vntounto vsus, but also vntounto all people and Nations of the earth, &c.