Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 37
The .xxxvii. Sermon, which is the fifth vppon the fifth Chapter.
15. Take heede therefore that yee vvalke circumspectly, not as fooles, but as vvyle:
16. Recouering the tyme: for the dayes are euill.
17. VVherfore bee not vnvvyse, but vnderstanding what is the vvill of the Lord.
18. And bee not drunken vvith vvyne, vvherin is loocenesse.
THe care that wee hauehave of our tempor all profit, will suffyze too condemne vsus before God, of the negligence that is seene in vsus, when wee come too the well ordering of our lyfe. For wee thinke too escape by this excuce, that wee thought not of it. But is it a tollerable fault, that when God calleth vsus too him, and setteth the heauenly lyfe … vsus, specially telling vsus how deerly it was purchaced, and requireth nothing but that wee should yeeld him his ryght, that is too say, that we should glorify him in trew obedience: all this should bee nothing with vsus? Must it not needes bee that wee bee too too grosse headed, too stande buzzing about a strawe, as yee would say, and about a sort of thinges that vanish away, and in the meane whyle too despyze the kingdome of heauen after such a sort, as too make no account of Gods seruice, and too esteeme the saluation of …ur soules as a thing of nothing? Yis: And therfore S. Paule exhorteth vsus now too bee more waker, than we hauehave bin woont: and first he sayeth, that in this …ace we must stand vppon our ga…d, and not imagin that God must acquit vsus for out blo… kishnesse sake, when wee bee intangled in this worlde, and by that meanes thinke not vppon the kingdome of heauen. Take heede (sayth he) that yee vvalke circumspectly. It is trew that although we looke neuer so neerly too our selues, yit shall wee not misse too bee caryed away by our infirmities, & wee commit many faultes, not only through ignorance, but also euen wittingly, and oftentymes we bee not strong ynough too withstand temptations so manfully as were requisite. Neuerthelesse if yee search narrowly why men pardon themselues many offences so easly, and why they beare themselues on hand that God thinkes not on them: yee shall fynde that it proceedeth of negligence. For if wee considered that wee walke in the presence of God and his Angels: surely it would hold vsus in another manner of awe than wee bee. That therefore is the cause why he dooth expressely requyre heere a great care and circumspectnesse in vsus, too the intent that no man should gyue himself ouer vntoo euyll for want of taking heede.
And too prouoke vsus the more theruntoo, he addeth, that vvee hauehave neede too redeeme the tyme, bycause the dayes are euill. Wherin he sheweth that wee cannot deuyze too abuze Gods grace so little, but it is a willfull lozing of the tyme, which wee cannot recouer afterward. Now then, let vsus gather a breef summe of the things that are conteyned heere, and let vsus begin at this poynt, that the dayes are euill, wherby Saint Paule dooth vsus too wit, that wee shall fynd many lettes too keepe vsus from comming vntoo God. For wee knowe wee bee hemmed in with so many corruptions, that euen they which are best mynded, shall stumble on the one syde, bee pulled backe on the other, and dyuers tymes stray quyte away. Now wee had neede of a singular inwoorking, too fyght in such wyse as wee may get the vpper hand of all the impedimentes that Satan castes afore vsus, to plucke vsus from our God, and to thrust vsus quyte and cleane out of the way of saluation. And therefore this hath bin true in all ages, that forasmuch as men are alwayes froward of nature, and we be borne in sin: Satan holdeth vsus as his prisoners. Agein, there is not that man among vsus, which draweth not other men too naughtinesse. Moreouer, wee wote not scarsly how to open our eyes, but we shall see some one thing or other, that may vtterly ouerthrowe vsus, and the diuell through his wylynesse applyeth all too his owne woorking, that vnlesse wee take good heede too his dooings, he marreth vsus out of hand. But the more that the world rageth, and the more that iniquitie ouerfloweth: the more ought wee too marke well this text, and the counsell that is giuen vsus heere by the holy Ghost. For surely now adayes men are come too the full measure of all enormite, and there is no part of the world where a man may fynd single and sound dealing. In old tyme yit a man myght hauehave found some Nations, where the folke were not so craftie and malicious, nor so excessiue in pomp and all kyndes of pleazures, nor so farre ouer the shooes in robberie, crueltie, and extorsion. But now adayes let a man go about euerywhere, and he shall fynd that there is nothing but as a horrible water flud and confuzed turmoyle of all wickednesse. And therefore if Saint Paul hauehave sayd, that the dayes were eui…l, when there was a hundred tymes more soundnesse than there is now adayes: we ought too bee the more vigilant in keeping good watch, according too the increacing of the euilnesse of the tyme. If there be any fear of warre, eueryevery of vsus will abate his countenance, and consider that it is not for him too hazard all at one chop, but that he must reserue some little sprincling for a pinch, as well of vittelles as of other things. Also if wee hauehave any other trubbles, eueryevery of vsus will bee forecasting ynough in that behalf.
Let vsus bethinke our selues (will wee say) for necessitie will driue vsus too it. But now wee see well the euilnesse of the dayes, that is to say, that all is ageinst vsus, and although wee were the diligentest and circumspectest in the world, yit shall wee not fayle too bee taken …ardie with many things, and too fynd our selues hindered when wee should serue God: and yit notwithstanding, all this passeth and slippeth away, and wee mynd it not at all. Therefore let vsus bethinke our selues, and learne too redeeme the tyme, that is too say, the mo occasions there bee too prouoke vsus too naughtinesse, and too pull vsus away from God, the more let eueryevery of vsus inforce and streyne himselfe too doo good. For wee be woont too take the corruptnesse of the time for a cloke too couer our sloth and vnlustinesse withal, and so wee beare our selues alwayes on hand, that it is lawfull for vsus too play the vnthriftes among vuthriftes, as the prouerb sayeth. If a man tell vsus that wee must liue indifferently and vpryghtly: how shall I doo then, will eueryevery man say? A man cannot buy a pennywoorth of apples without some deceyt: and how then may I deale in wares or marchaundyze? Agein, if a man tell vsus that wee must liue soberly and …tayedly,: yea, (say wee) but who dooth it? If a man speake too vsus of pacience and myldnesse, and such other things: Is it not apparant (say wee) that eueryevery man behaueth himselfe cleane contrariwyze? Shall I bee al alone in the world? Lo how wee make vyce our buckler ageinst God, & ageinst all the warnings that are giuen vsus, as who should say, that bycause it is common, therfore it ought too serue vsus for an acquittance or discharge. But contrariwyse it is sayd heere, that wee must take so much the more peyne too redeeme the tyme, and the more that the diuel laboreth to hinder vsus, & the more meanes and wyles that he hath too doo it withall, the more must eueryevery of vsus imploy himself manfully, and waken vp all his wits and vnderstanding, praying God too strengthen vsus, and too giuegive power too risist him. Thus yee see that our redeeming of the tyme must not bee by making of temporall (and worldly) gayne, for in that behalf wee neede nother counsell nor incoragement, eueryevery man is too much inclyned that way of his owne nature, and our lustes are so fyrye, as they will not suffer vsus too bee flothfull in that cace. But sith wee see the deuill goes about to trubble vsus, that we should not spend our lyues in the seruing of God: let vsus redeeme the tyme in that respect. And after what manner? In that he speaketh of redeeming, (raunsoming, or buying agein) he presuppozeth that we must forgo & looze the thing that we were desyrous too hauehave kept. For when wee bee too redeeme a thing that was gone out of our handes, or (too buy) a thing that wee neede, or too (compound for) a thing that another man withholdeth from vsus: in those caces wee forgo some peece of our profit. If another man hauehave layd hold of a thing that were for my commoditie: I must giuegive him a peece of mony too get it out of his hand agein. Euen so is it sayd, that wee must redeeme the tyme. And after what manner? Not alwayes with gold and siluer: but by forsaking our owne lustes. It is true that some tyme gold and siluer must bee spent about it. For if worldly riches turne vsus away, or plucke vsus backe from following whithersoeuer God calleth vsus, wee must redeeme the tyme, that is too say, all that euer wee perceyue too bee noysome and offensyue after that sort, must be thrust vnderunder foote. Howbeeit there are many other meanes besydes. For some are so snarled in their ambiciousnesse, as this world hath altogither rauished them, and they take no tast of the euerlasting lyfe, for any thing that can be preached vntoo them. Othersome bee giuen too deceyuing, and others too extorsion. According then as eueryevery man sees the Diuell able too win of him, and too make him to looze his tyme, by consuming it in wicked things: so let him redeeme it, that is too say, let him reforme himselfe, and forsake both himselfe and all the temptations wherwith he myght bee intangled. Yee see then, that the thing which wee hauehave too marke vppon this streyue, is, that considering the corruptnesse which is now adayes throughout the world, and the great number of outrageous vyces, and how all things are quite out of order, and (too bee short) that euen the perfectest men are somwhat infected with the vyces, and disorders that are euerywhere: in stead of seeking vayne excuce, by alledging that wee bee weake, and vnable to ouercome the great number of impediments that are offered vsus, wee must redeeme the tyme.
Now the only meane too doo it, is too vnderstand that Satans thrusting of vsus downe after that sort, is no sufficient discharge for vsus before God: for if wee resort vntoo him, he will giuegive vsus armour and weapon too hold out the battell withall, vntill wee hauehave gotten the victorie. But howsoeuer the cace stand, let it not greeue vsus too lay away the things that wee lyked of, and too hold our wicked affections as it were imprizoned, and then will it bee easy for vsus too followe the thing that Saint Paule sayeth heere, that is too wit, too bee watchfull and heedfull that wee walk aduyzedly, euen as VVyzefolk, and not as fooles. Wee hauehave seene alredy heretoofore, that if wee profit in Gods schoole as wee ought too doo, wee shall hauehave a sure rule, and cannot bee deceyued nor seduced. For God knew what wee hauehave neede of, and he hath not forgotten too shewe vsus any thing. And therfore Saint Paul presuppozeth that although we be blynd wretches, although we be ouerwhelmed with the darknesse of this world, although the diuell hauehave manie suttleties & wyles to wynd about vsus: yit if wee bee good schollers too Godward, and suffer our selues too bee ruled by him and his woord: wee shall hauehave sufficient wisdome, and wee shall not bee able too say, that we offended vnwares: for God is forecasting ynough too rule our whole lyfe, at leastwyse if wee herken too all that he sayth, and yeeld our selues easy and willing too bee taught. If it bee so: then may wee surely bee wyse, as Saint Paule requyreth.
And in deede he expoundeth him self by and by after in saying, that we must not be vnwyze, but wel aduyzed, & vnderstanding what is the wil of God. He sheweth here what maner of wisdome he meaneth. It is not as the world speaketh of it. For the world sayth, a mā is very wyse whē he is suttleheaded to deceyue, & can skill to keepe him self frō his enemyes, & maynteyn himself by his shifting & pollicie. Or else, the wisdome of the world is also to lay wel aforehand for a mans own profit, whether it be by hooke or by crooke. For there is no talk of the feare of God, there is no talk of equitie, & much lesse of single & playne dealing: bycause that he which wil bee wyze to the worldward, must beare two faces in one hood, he must bee malicious, he must be ful of lying. As for him that walketh in truth, he shalbe counted as a do…terell, for he makes him self a …ayt for eueryevery man too pray vponupon. He that will not turne nother too the ryght hand nor too the left, shall lykewyse bee called an idiot. Yee see then that the wisdome of the world cannot bee without leaudnesse &Psal. … b. 10. euill conscience. But S. Paul following the sayings of the scripture, namely that the beginning of wisdom is the feare of God,Prou. 1. a. 7.& 9. c. 10. and that the feare of God is the perfection of it also: telleth vsus that when wee bee skilfull in Gods will, then are wee wyze. His intent then is vnderunder these woords too condemne all the crafts, cautells, and suttleties that men vse, and wherin they welter themselues, and wherof they boast, and too shewe that all such stuffe is but lothsonmesse before God. What manner of wisedome then shall there bee in vsus? (ynough) if wee knowe what the will of God is. Yea, but in the meane whyle how shall wee behaue our selues towards the world? God will so blisse our simplicitie, as wee shal not fall intoo the s…ares of the wicked. For we heare our Lord Iesus willeth his disciples too bee simple as doues,Math. 1…. b. 16. (which are sillie birds, and soone scared away) and yit neuerthelesse too bee wyze as serpents. God therfore will not suffer vsus too bee fleeced and eaten vp by the the wicked, though wee liue simply and playnly, aud hauehave none of all the worldly shifts too resist them. Let vsus but only …etake our selues to the keeping of our God, and hee will giuegive vsus wisdome ynough. Howbeeit the cheef matter is not too hauehave skill too maynteyne our selues in this world, and too disappoynt men of dooing vsus wrong and iniurie. Wee m…st begin hygher: that is too wit, at the ruling of our lyfe in such wyse as God may allow of it, and wee shewe our selues to knowe with what … he hath set vsus in this world, and too what end he hath created and rede… med vsus, namely that wee should come too the inheritance of heauen. That is the way for vsus too bee ryghtly wyze.
Agein, although this doctrine seeme straunge too such as are plundged in the world, and vtterly heathenish without knowing whertoo they bee called: yit notwithstanding if wee looke throughly intoo it, wee shall see it is not vniustly sayd,Psal. …. b. 10. & Prou. 1. a. 7. & 9. c. 10. that there is no wisdome but the feare of God. For what doo all they which will needs auaunce themselues by their couetousnesse, ambition, and other trads of theirs? It is certein that they do manifestly prouoke Gods wrath ageinst themselues: and oftentymes they receyue the reward which they deserue, for they spin ha…tars, both for themselues and for their children: insomuch that wheras they h…ed too inriche themselues, or to mayntayne themselues in great …, and too leaue an euerlasting rememberance of themselues in their houses heere: God dooth so curse all their attempts, that the more they hoord vp, and the hygher that they clyme, the more horrible is their fall and confuzion, so as the goods which they had heaped vp, are turned too their vndooing, at leastwyse too the worldward. But put the cace that their prosperitie hild alwayes at one stay: yit doo wee knowe that our happinesse consisteth not in this transitorie lyfe which is of no continuance, but is as a shadowe that vanisheth out of hand. What shall we then thinke of the man, which being created after Gods image, redeemed by the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ, and adopted too bee companion with the Angels, dooth notwithstanding play the beast wilfully, by forgetting what he himself is, yea and euen the pryce of his saluation? If a man which is created too inherit euerlasting lyfe, bee contented with the hauing of a three or foure dayes pleasure heere beneath, and neuer passeth for all the rest: must it not needs be that Satan hath bewitched him, and bereft him of all vnderstanding and reason, and finally made him lyke a brute beast? For if a mans sonne forsake his fathers house, and the sustenance that is prepared for him there, and runnes…oging abrode too hauehave a twoo or three dayes pleasure, whether it bee in whoredome or in any other laudnesse, and within a whyle after becomes a begger, and hath not a morsell of breade too eate: wil not the world say, that such a chyld is starck blynd, & woorse than mad? Now let vsus compare this too the heritage that is prepared for vsus in heauen, and was purchaced so deerly for vsus: Let vsus see wherin it excelleth our wicked and cursed lusts: Let vsus see whither those men doo cast themselues which shrink away from God, and what their end is lyke to bee, when they bee so gone away from the welspring of lyfe, and of all welfare and ioy. So then, had wee any setled vnderstanding, surely wee would no more think it straunge, that the trew wisdome of men is too liue in the feare of God. For that is the thing wherin all our welfare consisteth, as it is sayd in the Psalme. So much the more therfore dooth it stand vsus on hand, too mark well this lesson, where S. Paule telleth vsus,Psal. …. that wee shall euer bee as straungers from all welfare, so long as wee seeke not too obey God.
Besyds the things afore sayd, wee hauehave also too mark, that (as I sayd afore) there is not any other rule, than the framing of our lyfe according too Gods commaundement. Would we then that God should allow of vsus, and lyke well of vsus? Letvs vsus not rest vppon our owne intents, nother let eueryevery of vsus bee giuen too much to stand in his o…ne conceyt, and too say, this seemes good too mee, it must needes be so, for I lyke well of it. Let vsus beware of such ouer holdnesse, and let vsus offer our selues too our God, assuring our selues that wee cannot doo amisse in obeying him, inasmuch as it is our whole wisdome too inquyre of his will. Now▪ can wee say that our Lord hath hidden any thing from vsus that was for our behoof too knowe? No▪ for he protesteth that hee will shew vsus the way of lyfe,Iohn. 14. a. 6. so wee be not s…ubborne, but bow downe our heads with one accord too bee subiect too his woord. The same was protested long afore of the Lawe,Deut. 30. which notwithstanding was but dark in comparison of the Gospel: for there wee hauehave the full and perfect syght. Now therefore let vsus not alledge that wee bee rude and grosse, nother the veryest idots in the worlde thinke too scape at that starting hole, by saying, I am no diuine, I neuer went too schoole. For God hath stooped in such wyse, that all of vsus from the moste too the least may bee taught familiarly by his woord, so there be no replying nor geynsaying in vsus, but that we suffer our selues to bee guyded and gouerned by his will.Es…i. 4. c. 19. And his will is manifest vntoo vsus, as he protesteth by his prophet Esay. I hauehave not spoken vntoo you in secret (sayeth he), I hauehave not sayd in vayne, seeke mee, whosoeuer seeketh mee, I will bee at hand with him, and shewe him familiarly whatsoeuer is for his welfare. To be short, S. Paule presuppozeth heere (as he sayeth too the Colossians,Coloss. …. d. 28.) that when the Gospell is preached vntoo vsus, there wee shall fynde a faultlesse wisedome, by meanes whereof wee shall hauehave a very certein way: and therfore let vsus beware that wee swarue not from it one way nor other.
It is trew that all men shall not be so wel inlyghtened as were requisite: but whereupon is that to be wyted, but vponupon our owne fault and negligence? And agein, although many simple soules atteyne not too such knowledge, as myght leade them and direct them perfectly too the seruing of God, according too their hartes desyre: yit notwithstanding, all they that submit themselues humbly too Gods woorde, and receyue it, and giuegive themselues too it, and beare such reuerence towardes it as they ought too doo: shall surely hauehave a good loadstarre to leade them too the heritage of heauen, although they drag their legges after them, and bee not so well aduyzed as were too bee wi…ed. For this cause Saint Paule rebuketh al them of vnthankfulnesse and stubbornnesse, too whom the Gospell is preached, if they bee not sure what Gods will is, for that sheweth them as much as is for their …. It is trew that God will not make vsus too s…ye aboue the cloudes, nor feede our curiositie, as a number desyre, who would hauehave speculations, and are fond too heare some newe things, and would … eueryevery day chaunge of speeche too tickle their eares withall. But God will not followe our fancies so farre. He will teache vsus the things that are behooffull for the bri…ging of vsus vntoo him. And what would we more? That therfore is the thing which wee hauehave too remember vppon this saying of S. Paules.
Now then let no man thinke it straūge that the wretched world is so runne astray, that eueryevery man peakes away alone by himself, and there is nothing but confuzion euerywhere, as wee see (for example) among the poore Papistes, who …tir themselues … of all measure, and yit fayle so much of comming vntoo God, that they go from him through their misaduyzed and brutish zele. And why? For they passe not a whit for Gods will: but eueryevery man followes his owne fancie, and all of them excuce themselues vnderunder pretence of good intent. By that meane hath the world bin peruerted, by that meane hauehave all things bin put out of order, and by that meane hath all certeintie bin taken away: euen bycause that in sted of Gods will, which ought too bee so apparant as eueryevery man myght …ow downe his necke too it, too receyue the yoke that is layed vppon him, men hauehave taken leaue and libertie too doo what they thought good of themselues. Forasmuch then as Gods will hath bin so despyzed, and men hauehave bin so di…elishly bold and …uer weening, as too behaue themselues after their … …windge: it did put all things to confuzion, and the disorder of it is so great yit stil, that it ought to make vsus shudder too thinke vppon it. So much the more therefore dooth it stand vsus on hand, too hold our selues very soberly in awe, by submitting our selues too God and his pure woord, and not too wander one way nor other, …eeing that all our wisedeme con…eth therin. That is the thing which w…e had too remember further, in Saint Paules setting downe of Gods only will for the full rule of all things. But wee cannot frame our selues therafter, vnlesse wee take our leaue of all our ticklish lusts, and of al that seemeth good in our owne eyes, & suffer God to reigne ouer vsus, and to hauehave such maystership among vsus, that wee nother adde any thing too his pure woord, nor take any thing from it.
Saint Paule could well hauehave sayd singly, that wee must walke as folke well aduyzed. But he addeth also on the contrary part, that vvee should not bee fooles and vnvvyze, to the end to shew that it is but a mockerie when men say, I am letted by other folkes▪ I hauehave not the meanes too followe my booke, that I myght doo good at it, or I am a poore simple soule, or a … ▪ or a handicrftes man. Therfore too cut of this geere, S. Paule tell…th, vsus that although they which weene themselues too bee wyzest, are but fooles▪ yit notwithstanding God will remedie such as suffer themselu… too bee gouerned by his woord. Howbeeit let vsus marke (as I sayd afore) that it is not for men too aduaunce themselues, or too bee so proud as too thinke that they can gouerne themselues as they ought too doo: for the beginning of our wisedome is too be fooles in our selues,1. Cor. 3. d. 18. as hath bin shewed in the first too the Corinthians. But on the one syde there is presumptuousnesse, so that very fewe can humble themselues in such wyse, as not too be styll plucked backe and hindered by their owne opinions: and (on the other syde) othersome are so rechlesse, that although they hauehave their eares dayly beaten with Gods woord, yit they continue dull styll for all that can bee doone. So much the more behoueth it vsus too marke well the warning that is giuen vsus heere: which is, that too bee well taught in Gods scoole, wee must not bring any whit of our owne reason, nother must wee thinke our owne deuyces good, but wee must bee fooles in our selues, that is too say, boyde of our owne reason, and wee must giuegive place and open way too Gods woord, so as wee accept without any geynsaying whatsoeuer is vttered by his mouth.
Heereuppon Saint Paule comes backe agein too certeine particular and speciall exhortations, as he had begonne too doo before, and first he sayth, that the faythfull ought too keepe themselues vvell from beeing drunken vvith vvyne, vvherein there is disorder. As if he should say, that wee must hauehave such stay of our selues in our eating and drinking, and so vse the good thinges that God hath ordeyned for our sustenance, as too take measurable repast of them, and not make our selues lyke brute beastes. Now, that wee may profit our selues well by this doctrine, wee hauehave too marke first of all, too what end our Lord hath appoynted foode and all other things that are for our sustenance. What then is the lawfull vse of wyne, of water, of bread, and of all other vittelles? Uerily too feede our selues with them, according too the neede of our infirmitie, and too susteyne vsus so in lyfe, as … doo homage too him of whom wee hold our lyfe, and by whom it is maynteyned, yeelding him thankes for his fatherly liberalitie: and secondly keepe our selues occup…d eueryevery man according too his degree, and according too the abilitie that is giuen him. Thus yee see that the lawfull vsus… of mea…e and drinke, is too susteyne vsus: not that wee myght bee as blockes of timber, but that eueryevery of vsus myght occupye himselfe in … the thinges that God hath ordeyned, too the behoofe of his neyghbour, and too the earning of his owne liuing honestly: and specially aboue all things, acknowledge the benefytes that God of his infinite goodnesse best…weth vppon vsus, that he may bee glorifyed in all things, as it is sayd in another place. Now then wee see that meate and drinke ought too serue too leade vsus to God.Colos. 3. c. 17. For is it reason that when God shall hauehave reached out his hand too powre vppon vsus the benefytes that wee receyue of him, he should notwithstanding go vnknowen, and wee still cram our selues heere at his cost, and yit forget him? Were not that too leaud and detestable a beastlinesse? Therefore although meate and drinke bee helpes too our feeblenesse, yit ought wee too referre all vntoo God. In deede it seemeth at the first syght, that wee bee letted and hindered too doo good, as well by eating and drinking, as also by sleeping. It is very trew: and therby God sheweth what wee bee. But on the other syde wee must come also too the recompence of it, that forasmuch as the tyme is after a sort lost whyle wee take our repaste, bycause wee cannot apply our selues too the seruing of our neyghbours (during that tyme:) our forslowing in that behalfe may as it were spurre vsus too resort vntoo God, by considering what his goodnesse is towardes vsus, according to the proof that he setteth before our eyes. Thus yee see (as I sayd) that although our eating and drinking doo hinder vsus too the worldward: yit ought they on the other syde too gyue vsus occasion too bee more cheerefull in seeking God.
But now let vsus see what excesse woorketh. If a man cram himself so full, that he becommeth vnweeldie, there is a chaunge in his nature, and it is all one as if he were at defyance with God and with nature, and with all order. For (as I hauehave sayd already) meate and drinke are ordeyned too strengthen vsus, that wee may apply our selues to the things which God commaundeth, and our vocation requyreth. Now therfore, when a man is so pampered as he can no more, first he hath defyled the sustenance that God gaue him▪ and secondly he chaungeth himselfe intoo a beast, and (as much as he can) defaceth the image of God. Moreouer God is forgotten. Is not this vnkyndnesse monstruous, as though a man would mingle heauen and earth toogither? But this is not yit all: Saint Paule addeth heere the vpshot of all enormitie when he sayeth, that in drunkennesse and in all royot there is loocenesse, that is too say, men oue…shoote themselues, putting away all shame, forgetting all honestie, and becomming wyld beastes. Wee see that one of the properties of drunkennesse is too driue men eyther intoo whoredome, or intoo some other leaudnesse, and too cast them into so sound a sleepe, that they perceyue nothing at all: let a man mocke at them, let him spit in their faces, they feele nothing of it. Agein, whatsoeuer commes at their toungs ende, out it goes, bee it ryght or wrong, and they will as soone blaspheme God, as speake vnius…ly of men: for there is no discretion at all in them. Now when men are thus caryed away, and wheras God had printed his image in them, too make them reasonable creatures, and giuen them an excellent state aboue all other lyuing wyghtes: they fall too playing of the beastes after that fashyon, & become lyke Asses and dogges: must it not needs be vnderstoode, that drunkennesse is one of the detestablest things that can bee? So then, Saint Paule ment too shewe vsus heere in one word, that although there were no trew feare of God in vsus too restreyne vsus, nor wee so well aduyzed and discrete as too consider the trew and lawfull vse of the venefytes that God hath graunted vsus: yit wee should refrayne for shame of the world, forasmuch as wee see that a drunken man is as a confuzi…n too … all order, and there is nothing too be seen in him but a lump of all lea…dnesse, insomuch that Gods image is defaced, all reason que…ched, and all things put out of order in him. Therfore sith wee see that drunkennesse is matched with such extremities: ought we not too abhorre it? And although S. Paule hauehave giuen heere but a short glaunce at the enormicies that happen through drunkennesse: yit wee must consider, that in the same he hath also in generall comprehended all the rest. The thing then which wee hauehave too remember vppon this streyne, is, that wee must bee sober, and hauehave a stay of our selues in our eating and drinking, and that although there bee abundance before vsus, yit wee must bee so discrete in taking of our repaste, as our meates and drinkes doo not comber vsus▪ The very heathen men sawe that: and no … ▪ for it is a knowledge that cannot bee wyped out, that wee must eate and drinke too li…e, and not liue to eate and drinke: and agein, that we must take our …paste to strengthen vsus, and too make vsus able too doo our … ▪ and no… too make vsus vnweldie. For it is certein, that bread and wy…e and meates are not ordeyned too cast men downe: but forasmuch as men should else decaye for famine,Psal. 104. b. 15. our Lord reneweth them, and giueth them their strength, according too this saying of the Psalme, that wyne gladdeth mans hart, and bread strengtheneth it. And so yee see, what wee hauehave too remember in the first place.
And seco…dly let vsus consider, that when God suffereth men to ouershoote thēselues into al leaudnesse, so as they be vtterly without stay of thēselues, without honestie, without shame, & eueryevery man sees them to be as brute beasts, and they themselues perceyue nothing, but are as it were cast vp at randon to al shamefulnesse: it is a ryghtfull punishment layd vppon them by God for abuzing of his liberalitie, and for gl…tting of themselues without any measure. Lo heere the payment which this vnhallowing of Gods benefyts deserueth, when wee cannot vse them according too his ordinance, and according too the rule that he hath set by his woord, and imprinted in our harts. For though wee had neuer heard one woord, nother of the Lawe nor of the Gospell: yit are wee sufficiently … euen by beholding the order of nature, which the very heathen men considered. And heere wee hauehave too remember, that the mischeef is dubbled when men step asyde, and giuegive ouer themselues (from euill too euill) by degrees: and therfore much lesse ought it too serue too lessen their fault as wee see (a number would hauehave it too doo), who when they cannot deny but that they hauehave done amisse,, fall too this shift for their last refug…, saying, O, yee may see, I was ouertaken with the wyne, my wits were intoxicate after I had once drunk. Behold (I pray yee) howe they that cannot start asyde one way nor other, would fayne hauehave their drunkennesse too serue too acquit them before God. But so little can that stand vsus in any stead, that contrariwyse wee shalbee so much the more giltie. And in very deede, if Lawes were well ordeyned, a drunken man should hauehave dubble punishment, when he had commit…ed any offence through his vnsobernesse. And why so? For he was woorthy of punishment alredy for vnhalowing of the benfyts which God had dedicate… to our vse, that they myght moue vsus too resort vntounto him. Wheras he gaue them in witnesse of his fa…herly goodnesse, the partie … zed them after that fashion, and what a trayterousnesse is that? drunkards then deserue one punishment for that. Agein, for asmuch as they bee drawen too euill dooing … farre of, as though they had confederated themselues with Satan: they ought too bee punished agein, for that they will needs excuze and cloke themselues. For although the lawes of men hauehave not alwayes that consideration, or that men obserue not that which ought too bee obserued: yit notwithstanding, they that giuegive ouer themselues after that sort, and let themselues looce intoo all leaudnesse through their vnsobernesse, shall bee driuen too answer afore God, for defyling of the things which God had sanctifyed too his seruis, and wherin he had put a mark of his goodnesse, too the intent too drawe vsus vntoo him by the same. Then if all bee peruerted in our eating and drinking: must wee not yeeld an account before God, for our abuzing o… the benefyts that he had bestowed vppon vsus, contrarie too his intent, as though wee were mynded too prouoke him wilfully too anger? Seeing then that drunkennesse makes men so beastly, as too forget themselues in such wyse, that Gods image is defaced in them, and they become lyke doggs and Swyne, and Asses: sith wee see our selues so disfigured (say I), yea and (woorthie) too bee reiected of God as horrible monsters: and that wee doo also lay open our owne shame aud dishonestie before men: ought not eueryevery of vsus atleastwyse too bethink himself aduyzedly, and too brydle our lusts in such sort when God giueth vsus meate and drink, as wee fall not intoo excesse? Yis: and so …ee see in effect what wee hauehave too remember vppon this streyne. And if wee cannot be so perfect as were …equisyte, let vsus sygh for our faults, and in any wyse beware that wee play not the beasts in eating and drinking, that God may bee so honored of vsus as he ought too bee, not only by our dooing of homage too him for our lyfe, but also by taking continuall occasion by our meates too bee prouoked too resort vntoo him. And let vsus vnderstand, that he giueth vsus euen now some taste of his louelove, too the end that in wayting for the full inioyment therof, wee may learne too forsake the world, and serue him with the willinger mynd, knowing that he is not only our mayster, and hath al superioritie and dominion ouer vsus, but also our father, and is desyrous too win vsus by his godnesse.
Now let vsus fall downe before the maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faults, praying him too make vsus so too feele them, as wee may truly repent vsus of them, and alwayes resort vntoo him too ask him forgiuenesse of them in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ, and he beare with vsus vntil he hauehave drawen vsus quyte and cleane away from all the corruptions of the world and of our flesh, and that wee bee so reformed as wee may seeke nothing, but by all meanes too come too the perfect ryghtuousnesse wheruntoo he exhorteth vsus. And let vsus all say, Almyghtie God heauenly father.