Sermons on Deuteronomy, Sermons · Sermon 33

Sermons on Deuteronomy · Sermons · Sermon 33

p. 193On Wednesday the xix. of Iune. 1555. The xxxiij. Sermon which is the fourth vponupon the fift Chapter.

11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lorde thy God in vaine: for the Lorde p. 194will not holde him guiltlesse which taketh his name in vaine.

IF we were well aduised, we needed not to bee taught to yeelde reuerence to our God: for nature ought to leade vsus thereto. To what ende are we created in this worlde? To what ende liue we here, but to honour him to whom wee be beholden for al good things, and to giuegive our selues to the glorifying of his maiestie? That then is the end and whole summe of our life. But in the 10meane season, in steede of honouring our God, and of applying our selues that way: we seeme to hauehave conspyred the cleane contrarie. For some of vsus woulde hauehave all remembrance of God buried: some despise him and mocke him: and othersome blaspheme him with open mouth: so as we shewe sufficiently, that wee knowe not to what end we liue or should liue. Now forasmuch as there is this vice in vsus: God intending to redresse the same, telleth vsus that we ought at leastwise 20to refraine from abusing his holy name: for that is as an vnhallowing thereof. And therefore hath hee forbidden men to take his name in vaine. By these wordes he meaneth, that wee must consider well which is the right and lawfull vse of his name. Of a trueth wee be not worthie to take Gods name in our mouth after any manner at all, for wee must remember what the Prophet Esay saide in his sixt Chapter:Esa. 6.5.Isa 6:5 Lorde (quoth he) I hauehave vncleane lippes, and dwell among a people 30that is altogether defiled. Seeing then that we hauehave nothing but infection and filthinesse in vsus: it is certain that we may not take Gods name [in our mouth,] at leastwise if it were not that God of his goodnes were willing that we should vse his name, so it bee to glorifie him withall. Therefore let vsus marke well, that when as it is saide that we shall not take the name of God in vaine: our Lord rebuketh vsus for our vnthankfulnesse, if we hauehave not the skill to vse his name as he hath 40giuen vsus leaue, by following the rule that is set downe in his worde: for that is the lawful meane whereby wee may rightly vse the name of God.

Neuerthelesse to the end that this may be yet plainlyer vnderstoode: wee must marke, that vnderunder one particular, God meant to shewe vsus here what a maiestie is in his name, to the intent we shoulde not speake of it, but with all reuerence and honour. Therefore he taketh one particular 50kinde, to wit, of an othe, specially when occasion serueth to sweare: and vseth it for all prophaning of God his name whatsoeuer. We see howe our Lorde loueth vsus, seeing he lendeth vsus his name whereby to communicate with our neighbours,Exod. 22.10 11. Hebr. 6.16.Exod 22:10Heb 6:16 so as if there happen any doubt or variance among vsus, it may bee dispatched by that meane: that is to wit, if we be not beleeued, and a matter hang in doubt, the name of GOD may come in as an vmper, to dispatch all controuersie, 60so as the matter may bee certaine and sure by such confirmation. Is it not an inestimable goodnesse, that our God humbleth himselfe in such sort, as to giuegive vsus leaue to vse his name? Yes. And why? for it is certaine that Gods maiestie is so precious, as it ought not to bee abased so lowe: but yet he vouchsafeth to apply himselfe vntounto vsus, and therefore so much the greater is the vilanie, if wee vnhallowe Gods name in our othes. And that is done, not onelyonly by forswearing our selues: but also by taking Gods name at aduenture, without regarding to speake with good discretion, or whether the thing that wee hauehave in hande, is worthie to bee so confirmed or no. Therefore when men goe to it so ar aladuenture, Gods name is as it were vnhallowed. It is true that GOD taketh it as a kinde of his seruice, when men sweare by his name: not that hee is beholden to vsus for it, but cleane contrariwise. For as I hauehave touched alredie, we must in this case consider howe GOD beareth with vsus, in that he giueth vsus leaue to vse his name. But yet doe wee by our swearing acknowledge that God hath all superioritie ouer vsus. The inferiour sweareth by his superior, saith the Apostle to the Hebrewes.Hebr. … And surely if wee wist to what ende an othe serueth, it cannot agree but onelyonly to the maiestie of GOD. For our meaning is to warrant such thinges as are secret and hauehave no proofe among men. But that cannot bee done by any creature: God must bee faine to shewe himselfe in that behalfe, as hee that sercheth mens hearts to the verie bottome.Ier. 1… 2. … 30. Psal. … 1. Cor …Jer 1:2Jer 1:30 And againe it is not for nought that he chalengeth to himselfe the title of trueth. Wee see then that in swearing, wee do homage vntounto God▪ by protesting him to bee our iudge, and the only partie to whome wee hauehave recourse in all doubtfull and secret cases, because it is his office to bring them to light, and againe hee will maintaine the trueth, sith the same belongeth to his honour. That is the cause why God taketh it to bee a kinde of seruing of him,Ier. 5.…Jer 5 when men doe sweare by his name, howe be it so as the othes bee not needelesse. And hereby wee see that the fault of such as forsweare them selues, or as sweare rashly, is so much the greeuouser: for it is as a violating of Gods seruice, and as an abolishing of it, as much as in vsus lyeth.

As touching them that commit periurie: they bee not onelyonly guiltie of taking Gods name in vain, and of abusing the same falsly: but also they bee traitors and wicked caitifes. Can wee deuise to doe a greater outrage to our GOD, than to abolish or deface his trueth? No: for there is nothing more peculiar vntounto him. And therefore it is all one as if wee woulde plucke him out of his seate, yea and vtterly bereaue him of all diuine honour and glorie: whiche thing is done when men turne his trueth into a lye. Therefore whosoeuer forsweareth himselfe, that is to saye, whosoeuer taketh Gods name with an euill conscience, whether it bee to colour lies, or to beguile, or to disguise matters: surely hee blasphemeth in so doing. And I say expresly, if wee goe about to disguise matters. Why so? For many doe dispence p. 195with themselues, vnderunder colour that they cannot be conuicted of periurie before men. And why is that? Because they turne the cat in the pan, and set such a face vppon their matters, as it may seeme that they forsware not themselues at all. But God liketh not any such suttleties. Wherefore let vsus not imagine that wee shalbee quitte and scape scotfree before him, when wee shall hauehave vsed such fetches and startingholes. Thus wee see in effect, that all such as take Gods name 10otherwise than soundly and simply, doe commit blasphemie. Let that serue for one point.

Nowe as for them that sweare to no purpose and vnaduisedly: they shewe well ynough that they make none account of God, and that they doe but dally with him. In deede they protest the contrarie: they can welynough say that their intent is nothing so: but that is but hypocrisie: for the deede it selfe sheweth sufficiently that they beare no reuerence vntounto GOD. If wee 20hauehave a mortall man in estimation, wee will not take his name in vaine, wee woulde not that men shoulde make a babling of it, or intermeddle it with scornefull and scoffing words. Nay we woulde take that in reproch. And would wee hauehave more priuiledge than the liuing God? We bee wretched carions and dung: and yet would wee be had in honour and estimation, and that our God shoulde be our vnderling? We see then that there are verie fewe of good religion nowadayes 30in the world. Although a great number pretende to bee Christians: yet they neuer wist what it is to worshippe God, or to doe him homage, or to yeelde him the seruice that belongs vntounto him. For howe doeth Gods name trorte about? Men cannot bargaine for a quart [of wine,] but some othe must bee rapt out with it. If Gods honour were esteemed among vsus: surely we would abstaine from such needlesse othes: nay rather wee woulde abhorre them. And yet 40nowadayes men make but a sport of them, and if a man bee rebuked for his swearing, hee thinkes he hath great wrong done him. If there bee any talke that is not for a mans profite, he will be wearie of it and grieued at it, yea and finde fault with it: but if any of vsus bee so zealous to Godward, as to be grieued at the abasing of his name: by and by a quarell is picked to him, they despite him, and gnash their teeth at him. But seeing that the worlde taketh so fast holde of the despising 50of GOD, and is so hardened in it: it is a signe that there is no more knowledge of his maiestie.

Againe although men take so lawlesse leaue vnderunder coulour that it is an ordinarie matter, and hauehave made custome a Lawe: yet will God shew in the end, that hee maketh more account of his name than men hauehave done, and that if we make hauocke of it, wee shall paye deerely for it, and wee shall bee driuen in the ende, to 60knowe that wee hauehave defiled the lande where wee dwelt, and wee must bee called to a reckening for al the benefits that we receiued there, and which GOD bestowed vppon vsus with his hande, because wee acknowledged not the author of them, to yeelde him his due honour for them. Yee see then that the first thing which we hauehave to marke in this text, is that God beareth with vsus and vseth such gentlenesse towards vsus, as hee is well contented that wee shall vse his name in all lawfull cases: by the which grant of his wee may well perceiue, that hee is more than fatherly towardes vsus. Neuerthelesse hee warneth vsus therewithall, to bee more ware in abstayning from all wicked othes. For as for periurie, (as I said afore) it is an offering of too outragious and cursed vilanie vntounto him, because his trueth is turned into lying, and wee bee false-dealers to the vttermost of our power. And so ye see that that is a passing deadly crime.

But it is not ynough for vsus to refraine from periurie: it behooueth vsus also to looke that our othes be sober, and that Gods name be not tossed among vsus like a tennisball: but that necessitie may excuse vsus in our vsing thereof. And forasmuch as by our swearing we giuegive to vnderstande that GOD hath all superioritie ouer vsus: therein we see that the othes which are made by creatures are wicked and proceede of superstition. As for example, whereas in the Popedome men sweare by S. Antonie or by S. Iohn: it is all one as if they made ydols of them. And why so? For we must always bethinke vsus of this saying of the Apostle which I alledged afore, namely that by our swearing by the name of God, wee auow him to bee our superiour, yea and our soueraine Lord. And that is the cause also why God sweareth to confirme vsus in his promises, or rather to waken vsus when he seeth vsus wilfull and hardened in our sinnes, so as we be not afraid of his iustice. He sweareth: and by whom? Euen by himselfe. He reserueth that honor to himselfe, as shall bee declared more at large in the 6. Chapter of this booke.Deut. 6.13.Deut 6:13 And therefore they that sweare by creatures are ydolaters. By reason whereof, in speaking of superstitions, the othe is set downe as a record to proue that men are turned away from the purenes of the Law.Soph. 1.5.6.Zeph 1:5Zeph 1:6 The shepherds (saith Ieremie) which hauehave the charge of leading Gods people,Ier. 12.16.Jer 12:16 must teach them to sweare by the name of God: that is to say, to lay away all other othes, and to intermingle no creatures in that behalfe.

Furthermore whereas the name of GOD is mentioned: let vsus marke that it is not the onelyonly speaking of that word, that is forbidden vsus: but that we must hauehave a regarde to the substance of it, as I hauehave said alreadie. God is not a sophister to vse trifling suttleties towards vsus: but hee hath an eye to the deede it selfe. There are that will not sweare expresly by the name of GOD: but yet they cease not to bee faultie and offenders. For wee must refer our selues to that which our Lord Iesus Christ speaketh in the fift of saint Mathew. When yee sweare by heauen (saith he) is it not the seate of the liuing God?Mat. 5.34.35.Matt 5:34Matt 5:35 If yee sweare by his temple: is it not the place where his maiestie resteth? Then if wee thinke wee shall not bee condemned, so wee expresse not the name of God: it is a…fondnesse. Let vsus not beguile our selues therewithal: for it is too childish an excuse. For why? Doeth not the heauen beare a representation of Gods Maiestie? p. 196Yee see then that his glorie is thereby diminished. As much is to be saide of the earth. For it is his footestoole, as Iesus Christ auoucheth in the forealleadged text. Wherefore let vsus learne in fewe wordes, that we must yeelde such reuerence to the name of God, as to put away all othes from among vsus, sauing so farre forth as necessitie requireth, and as God giueth vsus leaue to borrowe his name. And moreouer, let vsus alwayes followe this, to keepe this simplicitie 10in our talke, to say it is so: assuring our selues that whatsoeuer is more, is euil and condemned by the lawe,Matt. 5.37.Matt 5:37 that is to wit, if wee take the name of God in vaine. And indeede there is a dubble mischiefe to bee seene in all needlesse othes, and wherein Gods name is not honoured as it ought to bee. For when men let them flie so at all aduenture: it is a token that they passe not what they saye. Againe, whereof commeth it, but onelyonly of this, that folke are so full 20of lying and deceit, as no man can beleeue that which is saide to him, when one speakes to another? Needes must there bee greate frowardnesse and naughtinesse among them. Whereas God hath giuen vsus a tongue, it is partly to the intent wee shoulde common one with another thereby: for it is as yee woulde saye the messenger of the hearte, so as thereby wee expresse the thinges that we hauehave conceiued in our minde. Wee see then that needelesse othes 30spring of the vntrustinesse of men. And there needes no inquisition or long trial of the matter: for euerie man hath his owne witnesse in that behalfe. Howe so euer the case stande let vsus learne to vse such modestie in this respect, as God commaundeth that we sweare not without cause nor vnrequired.

Howbeit to make this matter the easier to bee vnderstoode, many do beare themselues in hand that when they sweare by their faith, it is not 40materiall. Indeede the most part of them sweare by nothing at al: for they hauehave no more faith thā dogges: they hauehave neither conscience nor Religion. But yet shall not the name of Faith faile therefore to be esteemed afore God: for hee setteth much store by it, and counteth it as a holy thing, which cannot nor ought not to bee so vnhallowed, except we will needs make our selues guiltie, and runne in daunger of the threat that is vttered here, as we see. Now then let vsus mark 50wel that it is not ynough for vsus to hauehave forborne to sweare expresly By God: but also that if a man sweare by his faith, or vse any confirmation wherein there is any marke of Gods maiestie: his name is vnhallowed in so doing. And what shall then become of such as not onelye vse false othes to countenaunce their matters withall, and sweare at all aduenture and as it were in scorne and mockerie: but doe also spite God with horrible blasphemies, so as they spare 60neither fleshe, bloude, nor death nor anye thing else? Are such men to bee helde as onelyonly guiltie of simple abusing of Gods name? No: but as guiltie of the heynousest vilanie that can bee doone. Beholde our Lorde Iesus Christe the Lorde of glorie, abased himselfe for a time, as saieth S. Paul. Now if there were no more but this,Phil. … that he being the fountain of life, became a mortall man, and that he hauing dominion ouer the Angels of heauen, tooke vppon him the shape of a seruant, yea euen to shed his bloud for our redemption, and in the end to suffer the curse that was due vntounto vsus:Gal. … were it conuenient that notwithstanding all this, he should now adayes in recompence thereof bee torne in peeces, by the stinking mouthes of such as name themselues Christians? For when they sweare by his bloud, by his death, by his woundes and by whatsoeuer else: is it not a crucifying of Gods sonne againe as much as in them lyeth, and as a rending of him in peeces? And are not such folk worthie to bee cut off from Gods Church, yea and euen from the worlde, and to bee no more nombered in the aray of creatures? Should our Lord Iesus hauehave such reward at our handes, for his abacing and humbling of himselfe after that manner?Mich. … God in vpbrayding his people saieth thus: My people, what hauehave I doone to thee? I hauehave brought thee out of Egypt, I hauehave ledde thee through the wildernesse, I hauehave brought thee vp with all gentlenesse and louingkindnesse, I hauehave planted thee as it were in mine owne inheritance, to the intent thou shouldest hauehave beene a vine that should hauehave brought me forth good fruite, and I hauehave tilled thee and manured thee: and must thou nowe bee bitter to me, and bring foorth sower fruite to choke mee withall? The same belongeth to vsus at this day. For when the sonne of God, who is ordeined to bee iudge of the worlde,Iohn … shall come at the last day: hee may well say to vsus: howe nowe syrs? Ye hauehave borne my name, yee hauehave beene baptised in rememberance and recorde that I was your redeemer, I hauehave drawen yee out of the dungeons where into yee were plunged, I deliuered you from endelesse death by suffering moste cruell death my selfe, and for the same cause I became man, and submitted my selfe euen to the curse of GOD my father, that you might be blessed by my grace and by my meane: and beholde, the rewarde that you hauehave yeelded mee for all this, is that yee hauehave (after a sorte) torne mee in peeces and made a iestingstocke of mee, and the death that I suffered for you hath beene made a mockerie among you, the bloode whiche is the washing and cleansing of your soules hath beene as good as trampled vnderunder your feete, and to bee short, you hauehave taken occasion to banne and blaspheme mee, as though I had beene some wretched and cursed creature. When the soueraine Iudge shall charge vsus with these thinges, I praye you will it not bee as thundering vppon vsus, to ding vsus downe to the bottome of hell? Yes: and yet are there verie fewe that thinke vponupon it. For if needeles othes were as greatly abhorred nowadayes among men as they ought to be: they woulde not by & by after take such leaue and boldnesse as they doe to flesh themselues in periurie and forswearing.

As touching blasphemie, doth not y^e world see p. 197what commeth of it? And yet woulde wee bee ielous of our owne honestie and reputation, when in the meane season Gods name is troden vnderunder foote among vsus. If a man hauehave spoken amisse of ones father, hee coulde finde in his heart to make a quarrell of it, and eyther to sew him at the Lawe, or else much rather to bee reuenged of him with his owne handes, and men beare themselues in hande that they may with honestie maintayne the quarrels of their 10parentes. Beholde, our soueraigne Father is iniured after the same manner, euen the same father who not without cause is named the Lorde of glorie,Psal. 24.7.Ps 24:7 before whose sonne all knees ought to bow, as Saint Paule reporteth to the Philippians, euen hee shall bee so mocked as a man coulde doe no worse to him,Phil. 2.10.Phil 2:10 except he shoulde spitte in his face: and yet notwithstanding euen they that name themselues Christians, and which pretend in deede to seeke his honour, 20shall bee the greatest and horriblest blasphemers of him. But yet for all that, as I said afore, our Lorde will not cease to maintayne his owne honour, (as hee himselfe auoweth.) When hee seeth men so heathenish as to deface his Maiestie after that fashion, to the vttermost of their power: He maketh a solemne othe that he will bee reuenged of it. As truely as I liue (sayeth the Lorde) I will not giuegive myne honour to another.Esa. 42.8. & ….11.Isa 42:8Isa 42:11 And like as hee will not hauehave his honour 30conueyed ouer vntounto idols: so is it certaine that the same saying hath a further reache, that is to wit, that if men doe falsely abuse his holy name, they shall feele in what estimation hee had it. And therefore let vsus not looke till this bee accomplished vppon our selues: but let vsus learne to yeelde reuerence to our GOD, and to him that hath all soueraigne Maiestie, that is to wit, to our Lorde Iesus Christ: and let vsus learne therewithall, to sweare in such wise, as it may 40alwayes bee a warrant vntounto vsus, that it is he to whom wee belong, and that hee is our Father, our Maker, and our Iudge. Thus yee see what wee hauehave in effect to gather vppon this text.

But withall there is a threatening added: whereby wee see mens dulnesse, and howe Satan hath as yee woulde say bewitched them, so as they conceyue not Gods wrath, when it is set afore them. I will not holde him giltlesse that taketh 50my name in vaine. Loe it is GOD that speaketh. I pray you ought not the haire of them to stande vp stiffe vppon their heades, which sweare so vilanously as I hauehave mentioned afore? If a man sweare by his faith vnaduisedly: beholde, God armeth himselfe and sayeth: no sir, seeing thou hast not honoured mee, thou must yeelde an account of such treacherie. God can not away with a simple lye: and if periurie be added thereto, it is yet worse. If a third fall to blaspheming, 60it is the vttermost poynt of all leudnesse, and as bad as an open defying of GOD, as though we woulde runne vponupon him and wounde him. Now if in this case a man thinke not vppon the punishment that is prepared for all such as doe so falsely misuse the name of GOD: or hauehave dishonoured it, may it not bee said that he is beastly drunken, and as it were out of his wittes, and that Satan hath made him starke blinde? Alas yes: and yet neuerthelesse, it is as common a thing as may bee. If a maister shoulde saye in his house, I will bee obeyed in all things: but yet there is one thing aboue all the rest which I am desirous to hauehave done, and I can not abide that any man shall transgresse it, but that hee shall by and by bee thrust out of the doores, and bee punished for it as he deserueth: If a Maister hauehave a thing in such estimation, although his men be not so circumspect in all the rest, yet will they stand in some feare of this.

Nowe then,Deut. 27.16.20.24.26.Deut 27:16Deut 27:20Deut 27:24Deut 27:26 beholde, God curseth all such as shall hauehave transgressed his Lawe in any point. Cursed bee he that honoureth not his Father and mother: Cursed bee he that stealeth: Cursed bee he that committeth adulterie: Cursed bee he that perfourmeth not all things contained in the Lawe. And here specially, there is a threate vppon all such as shal hauehave abused Gods name. Hereby he sheweth vsus that although he will hauehave vsus to keepe his Lawe in all pointes, and to direct our liues thereby: yet notwithstanding he reserueth still this point to himselfe, and will hauehave his name to bee priuiledged. Nowe if this threatening slippe away for all that, so as it sinketh not in our mindes, nor restraineth vsus at all from presuming to dally so with God and his Maiestie: must it nor needes bee said (as I hauehave touched alreadie) that the diuell hath carryed vsus away, and that wee bee bereft of all witte and reason? Yes: but if this threate doe not waken vsus nowe: wee must finde in the ende that Gods publishing of it was no false alarum. And therefore let vsus learne to bee touched to the quicke, sith wee see that our Lorde setteth himselfe so expressely against vsus, and sheweth himselfe to bee an aduersarie to all such as abuse his name. For what cost is it to vsus to abstaine, as well from all false othes, as from all vnaduised othes, and specially from all blasphemies? The greatest excuse that they hauehave which would lessen their fault, is that they cannot refraine bicause they bee inured to it by custome. Yea, but if euerye man woulde set before his eyes that God is his Iudge: surely he might soon forget his swearing: and when the name of GOD were to bee vsed, men would not doe it but with great singlenesse of heart. In so much that if men went to lawe, they shoulde hauehave as it were Gods Maiestie present there, so as hee myght bee behelde sitting there as Iudge when he were called to witnesse, and men shoulde not vse his name but in such wise,2. Tim. 2.19.2 Tim 2:19 as Saint Paul speakes of, where he saieth that wee must not take Gods name but in all holinesse.

This therefore might well be done. But what? Our tongue runnes ryot euen so farre as to the foresaid despising of Gods name: so that crie what men can, yea and (as yee would say) beate they it into vsus with beetles: (for the things that the holy Scripture telleth vsus concerning the abuse of Gods name, are like mightie blowes with a beetle wherewith GOD striketh vppon vsus:) p. 198and yet for all that, wee continue still the same wee were afore, and Gods name hath neyther honour nor Maiestie more than it had before. Yet notwithstanding, all such as hauehave any vnderstanding and feeling of Gods name, ought to thinke well vppon that which is saide here. And moreouer (as I hauehave declared alreadie) when wee bee once warned of that which wee hauehave seene heretofore, that is to wit, that hee which speaketh is the Euerlasting, and our Creator and 10Redeemer, which hath shewed himselfe more than a Father and Sauiour towardes vsus: if this bee well printed in our minde, surely all othes wil easily be forgotten. But if we keepe on our way stil:Zach. 12.10.Zech 12:10 the saying of the Prophet Zacharie shall be fulfilled vponupon vsus: which is, they shal see him whom they hauehave perced, that is to say, whō they hauehave wounded. For although men flatter one another, and make but a laughing at their othes, and imagine that their swearing shall easily 20bee forgiuen them: yet is God wounded by it, and hee wil shewe in the end, that it is not for men to rush against him after that fashion.

Herewithall wee hauehave to marke, that vnderunder one kinde, GOD meant to shewe what reuerence wee ought to yeelde in effect to his name. In deede be speaketh here expressely of Othes: but yet this doctrine ought to bee stretched further: namely that when wee thinke of God, or heare any speaking of him, it must be done with 30all reuerence, so as wee may bee wakened vp, not onelyonly to honour and praise him aboue all, but also to consider,Iob. 41.16.Job 41:16 that euen the Angels doe tremble at the sight of his inestimable glorie, and therefore that we which are wretched creatures and as transitorie as maye bee, ought at leastwise to doe homage to the soueraigne Maiestie of our GOD, whensoeuer hee is spoken of. That is principall point which we ought to marke well in this text.

Truely this doctrine is easie ynough of it self: but it is darke to vsus, bicause it is so ill put in practise. What a sort of vaine thoughtes come in our heades when wee thinke vppon GOD? In deede our nature is inclyned therunto, as of folk that are fraughted with all vntrueth, so as there is nothing but darkenesse in vsus. But yet for all that, if a man feede his owne humour with lewd and wicked imaginations conceiued against the honour of GOD: he sheweth sufficiently that 50he hath conspired and confederate himselfe with the diuell. Neuerthelater howe many are there that bethinke themselues, when any leawd fansie commeth in their minde, or which labour to suppresse and beate downe the thinges by force, which their owne conscience telleth them to be wicked and against the glorie of GOD? Nay, they rather take pleasure in them, and welter in them. Nowe when mens spirite, that is to say, their vnderstanding is so defyled, the residue is 60easily corrupted. And for proofe thereof: howe doe men most commonly speake of God? What manner of talke hauehave they of him? It shoulde seeme that their whole seeking is to bee corrupted: there needeth but a little leauen to sowre the whole lump of Dowe,1. Cor. 5.6.1 Cor 5:6 as sayeth Saint Paule treating of this naughtie talke which marreth and infecteth vsus with wicked vices. But the worst is when men speake of GOD in way of mockage. For what a thing is it that he shoulde bee scoffed at, and that he shoulde bee scorned in woordes, not onelyonly vayne and fond, but also shamefull and horrible? It is not a wilfull violating of his Maiestie? And yet men doe so, yea euen ouer commonly, in so much as yee shall hardly hauehave long talke in any companie, but somewhat shall be intermingled that may found to the contempt of GOD. And doe wee not shewe thereby, that wee neuer wist what it is to worshippe GOD? Wee can well ynough say dayly, Hallowed bee thy name: and yet we doe the cleane contrarie. Needeth there any other sentence of condemnation against vsus than that? When wee come here to Church, wee protest with our mouthes that wee desire that Gods name shoulde bee maintayned in due honour: wee say as much at the table: and likewise doeth euerie man both at his rising and at his going to bedde, (I meane such as are not vtterly brutish: for there are which wote not what praying to God meaneth.) But as for those which hauehave yet so much honestie as to pray vntounto God, they will well ynough say with their mouth, hallowed be thy name: but it is no sooner from their tongues end, but by and by a false othe is in their mouth, and they make Gods name to runne too and fro. And what else is such falshood, than a violating of Gods Maiestie, and as a striking of him with a Dagger, or as a spitting in the face of him? Therefore as I hauehave tolde you alreadie, there needs none other Iudge to condemne vsus for our foolish othes, than the protestation that wee our selues make when we desire GOD to maintaine the holinesse of his name, and yet in the meane whyle indeuour to deface it as much as wee can.

But nowe remayneth that we speake of God in al reuerence, specially when his workes come in talke. As howe? In speaking of the weather, bee it faire or bee it rainie, they bee markes of his Maiestie. If he sende vsus sadde weather, hee sheweth himselfe a Iudge to make vsus perceiue his displeasure, to the intent to make vsus enter into the examination of our sinnes, that wee myght bee sorie for them and bee ledde to amendment. But in stead of humbling our selues before GOD, and of being sorie that wee hauehave offended: wee become wayward as wee see men commonly bee, who fall to repyning, and saye, must this weather last euer? and so wee flee not to our GOD, ne aske him forgiuenesse of our sinnes. And after the same maner deale wee in all other thinges: for I alledge but onelyonly one example, to shewe that when wee speake of Gods workes, wee must eyther perceiue him to bee a Father by his goodnesse, or feele him to bee a Iudge by his rigour. Therefore whensoeuer God doeth any thing that misliketh vsus, and is contrarie to our desire and wishing: let vsus vnderstand that hee chastiseth and tameth vsus,1. … 32. to the ende wee should enter into the examination of our sinnes to condemne them and to bee sorie p. 199for them. If we glorifie not God in that behalfe, wee vnhallowe his holy name. Againe on the contrarie part, when God draweth vsus to him by gentlenesse as a louing and pitifull father: it is to the intent wee should bee brought vntounto him, and honour him the more. And if our vnthankfulnesse bee to bee condemned for not honouring of him at the first worde that he speaketh to vsus: howe shall wee doe when all things vpbraide vsus, so as God hauing layd hold on vsus on all sides, 10can by no meanes win vsus to him, whereby hee sheweth that wee bee vtter despisers of his Maiestie, and that wee hauehave trampled his woorkes vnderunder our feete, or ouerturned them with our snoutes like swine? I pray you shall it not redoūd to our dreadfull condemnation, if this may bee laid to our charge?

Nowe although God hauehave set his marke vppon all his workes, so as wee ought to know him both in fayre weather and in fowle, in heate 20and in colde, and (to bee short,) in all the order of nature: yet hath he set his marke chiefely vppon his woord. Of a trueth it is an vnexcusable crime, when wee acknowledge him not in the good thinges that he hath made and done for vsus. Wee holde our life of him: it is in him that wee liue,Act. 17.28.Acts 17:28 as speaketh Saint Paul. If all these benefites make vsus not to bee mindefull of God: it is too vnmeasurable a churlishnesse alreadie: but yet (as I saide afore) it hath bene his will that 30his marke shoulde bee printed aboue all thinges in his woord. Let vsus looke vppon Heauen and earth, and wee shall see GOD eueriwhere. For what else is the worlde than (as sayeth S. Paul) a liuely image wherein God setteth foorth himselfe?…om. 1.20. Although he bee vnuisible in his owne being: yet doeth he shewe himselfe there, to the intent that wee should worship him. But come wee once to the holy Scripture: there is an image wherein God sheweth himself much more 40familiarly vntounto vsus,Cor. 3.18. than he doeth either in the skies or in the earth. Neither Sun nor Moone, (though they giuegive light to the worlde,) doe so set foorth the Maiestie of God, as the Lawe, the Prophetes and the Gospell doe. And yet for all that, after what manner doe men speake of them? Howe boldly doe they deale with them? I pray you doe not men take leaue nowe adayes to speake of Gods name after their owne fansie? And when they fall to reasoning vppon the holy 50Scripture among Cuppes, in Tauernes and at Tables, doeth their talke tend to the humbling of themselues, that they may all knowe their owne rudenesse and infirmitie, and aske of God the gift of his holy spirit, to the end that we may handle his mysteries as becommeth vsus? No: but those disputations are made as it were in way of mockerie, and thereby it appeareth well, yea much more than were requisite, that there are verie fewe true Christians nowe adayes in the 60worlde. It is apparant that some dally with the holy scripture, and wrest it to prouerbs of laughter, making it a matter to sport and play withal, as though it were but as a nose of waxe for eueryevery man to fashion and vnfashion at his owne pleasure. Othersome holde fond discourses on it, demaunding, why is this, and why is that? And againe, when wee come to Gods high mysteries: if any thing mislike vsus, wee would hauehave it euerie whit wyped out. And that is all one as if wee would pull God out of heauen.

Nowe then let vsus learne that God commendeth the honour and authoritie of his word vntounto vsus aboue all thinges: as if he should tell vsus that looke whatsoeuer is contained in the holy scripture, wee must receiue it with allowelinesse, and yeelde our selues plyable to that which is contained therein. Yea and although the same bee contrarie to our vnderstanding, and wee coulde finde in our heartes that God had spoken after our maner: yet let vsus doe him the honour to imprison all our owne wittes, and to say: Lord, wee be thy scholers, and therefore we receiue quietly whatsoeuer thou hast vouchsafed to teach vsus, assuring our selues that the same is for our benefite and welfare. Therefore whatso euer is contained in the holy Scripture, let it bee receiued reuerently without exception. And when Gods holy mysteries come in question: let vsus not iudge of them according to our owne vnderstanding: but if it happen that any thing seeme not good and conuenient vntounto vsus, let vsus bridle our selues, and let God hauehave his full scope, so as his woord may hauehave all the libertie that may be. Also therwithall, when wee reade the holy Scriptures or come to a Sermon, let vsus alwayes beare in minde to thinke thus with our selues: behold, our God sheweth himselfe here, and he is set down as our iudge: and therefore it is not for vsus to kicke and spurne against him, as wee see a great sorte doe when they come to Sermons. But what? They hauehave conceiued rancour in their heart against God and his word, and therefore they can reape nothing by it but vtter naughtinesse: in so much that they gather venim more and more, to belk out their blasphemies at tables when mē speake not to their liking. And is that (thinke you) a good honouring of Gods name? Now therefore, whether it be that wee reade the holy Scripture, or that it be treated of in Sermons: let vsus learne to hauehave Gods name alwayes in such reuerence, as to quake at it when we heare it spoken of, specially whē his word is preached, as is said by the Prophet Esay.Esa. 66.2.5.Isa 66:2Isa 66:5 For so shall wee shewe, not onelyonly in wordes but also in deede, that wee be true beleeuers: and God also will auowe vsus for his people, and in the end gather vsus into the heritage of the kingdome of heauen.

Now let vsus kneele downe in the presence of our good God with acknowledgement of our faultes, praying him, not to impute those vntounto vsus which we hauehave committed heretofore: but that it may please him so to reforme vsus to himselfe, as our whole seeking may bee to honour him, and to giuegive our selues to his seruice, y^t he may dwell among vsus, and our Lorde Iesus raigne ouer vsus, both by his holy spirit and by his woord. And so let vsus all say, Almighty God heauenly father, &c.