The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.

On Munday the xxiij. of March, 1556. The CLVIII. Sermon, which is the sixt vpon the eight and twentith Chapter.

29 And thou shalt alwayes suffer iniurie and oppression, and no man shall deliuer thee.

30 Thou shalt mary a wyfe, and an other man shall lye with her: thou shalt buylde a house, but thou shalt not dwell in it: thou shalt plant a vyne, but thou shalt not gather the fruite thereof.

31 Thyne oxe shalbe killed before thine eyes, but thou shalt not eate of it: thyne Asse shalbee taken away before thy face, and it shall not be restored vnto thee: thy sheepe shalbe deliuered to thyne enemies. and there shalbe no bodie to saue them.

32 Thy sonnes and thy daughters shalbe giuen to another people, thyne eyes shall see it, and dasle at it all the day long, and thy hande shall haue no strength.

33 And a people which thou hast not knowen, shall eat the fruite of thy land, and all thy labour: and thou shalt doe nothing but suffer reuylinges and op∣pressions alwayes.

34 And thou shalt be amased at the sight of those things which thyne eyes shal beholde.

35 The Lord wil smite thee with a sore swelling in the knees, and in the legs, of the which thou shalt not bee healed from the sole of thy foote to the crowne of thy head.

WE ought well to rememember the meaning of Moses, where∣of wee haue spoken heereto∣fore; namely, wherefore hee [ 60] continueth in vttering so ma∣ny curses. For wee are slowe to bee mooued: when our Lorde doeth threa∣ten vs, wee make a game of it: and albeit wee confesse that wee shoulde thinke thereon, yet doeth it escape vs. And futhermore, wee suppose that wee shall alwayes fynde starting holes, and that if God doe followe vs one way, wee by flying another way shalbee able to void his blowes. Thus doe men deceiue them∣selues, and thereuppon waxe hardhearted. Nowe Moses (or rather the spirite of GOD speaking by his mouth) perceiuing that men be so carelesse, and that they shrinke not at the

first, when the iudgement of God is set before them, continueth his matter still and addeth threatenings vppon threatenings. Againe, on the other side, perceiuing also that men seeke startingholes, and thereby deceiue themselues, bearing themselues in hande, that they can saue themselues by flinging ouer the Fenne (as they say:) hee sheweth that God hath infinite meanes to punish vs withall, both aboue and beneath, before and behynde, on the right [ 10] hande and the lefte, and that wee shalbee so hemmed in on all sides, that it shall not be pos∣sible for vs to escape his hand.

Nowe after the threatenings, which we haue seene heere before, hee presently addeth that they which so resist God shalbee afflicted and tor∣mented, so as men shall spoyle them, and they shalbee layde open to all vyolence for euer, and no man shall deliuer them. Wee see heere that God serueth his owne turne by the wicked, and that al∣though [ 20] their intent bee nothing so, yet doeth hee apply them to a good vse, when hee listeth to punish vs. Whereas there bee theeues and robbers, albeeit that they bee giuen ouer to Sathan, yet fayle they not to serue Gods pur∣pose; yea truely, for wee see in this text that our Lorde leaueth them not at randon, to robbe and to spoyle, whether hee will or no: but hee threateneth his people, saying, They that disobey mee, shalbee vexed and robbed. [ 30] And whence proceedeth that? It must needes, come from him.

Nowe albeit that God suffereth oppressions, robberies, and violence to bee done, hee can very well condemne them, according as hee is righteous, and must needes hate Iniustice: yet notwithstanding, by his wonderfull wisedome which to vs is incomprehensible, hee turneth those things to his owne seruice: so that when wee haue offended him, he must needs punishe vs by the hand of the most wicked: which is the [ 40] more to our reproche. For if he himselfe shoulde haue punished vs, and we sawe before our eyes, y^t he reuengeth him of our iniquities, wel would wee say, seeing that wee haue offended him, it is good reason that wee should come to account for it. But when hee sturreth vppe leawd folke, and despisers of his maiestie, and such as are giuen to all naughtinesse, and maketh them our Iudges: it is to make vs so much the more a∣shamed. [ 50] Let vs therefore consider, that whence∣soeuer the euill commeth, wee haue euermore to deale with GOD: and wee must thinke that there is nothing done in this worlde but by his direction. And thereupon let vs enter into the examination of our faults. For it is not ynough to know that God ruleth al things: but euery one of vs must also make his owne inditement, and consider that all afflictions and aduersities, are tokens of Gods wrath. Nowe when wee speake of his wrath, wee must in like wise remember [ 60] his iustice; and thereuppon conclude that wee verie well deserue to bee punished. But yet he threateneth vs before hee strike, to the ende that wee shoulde not stand gaping til the things were come to passe; but rather preuent them aforehande,* 1.1 as Saynt Paul also doeth admo∣nish vs. Whilest God spareth vs, let vs bee aduised, so to walke in his feare, that wee pro∣uoke him not to stirre vp theeues to torment and vex•• vs: but that rather (if men attempt such iniuries against vs) wee may stande in his protection, according as hee promiseth to vp∣holde all them that walke in his obedience. Then let vs see that wee doe so; and let vs re∣member that which is spoken by the Prophet Esaye, to wit, that they which haue robbed, must bee serued with the same sawce.* 1.2 And that is the cause why violences and extortions doe so continue in the worlde.

Men wonder to see that the mischiefe growes woorse and woorse: but they shoulde note the cause thereof. For they that beare chiefe sway and preheminence, doe let themselues loose, seeking nothing but to enriche them∣selues, an to swallowe vp other mennes sub∣stance. But haue they robbed? God must sende a reuolution, so as other robbers shall come and bereaue these of their booties: and afterwarde, a thirde sorte must step vp to spoile them againe. And so there is neuer any ende. And why? Because the worlde neuer ceasseth to prouoke the wrath of God. And for so much as wee bee headstrong, it is reason, that our Lorde shoulde continue to shewe himselfe our Iudge. But (as I sayde euen nowe) let vs bee well ware to walke in such wise, as innocent bloud crye not out for vengeance against vs. Let vs not doe iniurie or outrage to any per∣son, that our Lorde may blesse vs for so dooing, and not pay vs with like measure, according as wee see howe our Lorde Iesus Christ sayeth,* 1.3 that it shall come so to passe. Let euery of vs therefore brydle him selfe in such wise, as this curse come not vppon vs, to bee robbed for v∣sing of robberie and extortion against the in∣nocentes. But for as much as men imagine that their aduersitie shalbee short, and that they shalbee soone ridde of it: Moses addeth, That it shal bee for euer, and that when the hande of God is against vs, no man shalbee able to saue vs.

It is certayne, that like as God is slowe to anger, so is hee soone pacified;* 1.4 but that is but towardes the faithfull. As for the wicked, hee must holde on with them, and they must feele their burden euery day heauyer than other. And wherefore? According as they harden their heartes against God, they must in like wise feele him the harder against them. And albeeit that this is not alwayes, yet doe wee see it often come to passe, God will at some times withdrawe his hande after hee hath menaced the wicked; or else when hee hath giuen them some strypes with his rodde, hee will let them goe againe: and that is, as it were a respyte, that they may haue leasure to turne to repen∣tance. Notwithstanding, because hee kno∣weth them to bee vnrefourmable: that dea∣ling of his must of necessitie bee turned to their

sorer condemnation. If GOD then do spare the despisers of his lawe, and them that bee obstinate in malice, it doeth not therefore followe, that they shall bee saued: but it is to the ende that the plague shall come dou∣ble vppon their heades, for their abusing of his patience after that manner. For when hee hath waited for them, and they pro∣ceede still from euill to woorse: hee must needes put to his hande at the last. Howsoeuer [ 10] the case standeth, it is not in vayne that Mo∣ses telleth vs heere, that when GOD is our enemie, our life shall not bee miserable on∣ly for a day, or yet for a little while; wee must not limit our selues any terme in that case: but we must looke for one mischieefe to drawe another, and that there shall bee none ende, vntill hee hath layde vs quyte vn∣der foote, vnlesse wee turne to him to obtayne mercie. Wherefore let vs weye well this [ 20] woorde which Moses addeth, where hee say∣eth, that if GOD doe beginne to smyte vs for despysing of his iustice: it shall not con∣tinue for a little whyle, but wee must bee miserable for euer. And why? For in as much as the maiestie of God is euerlasting, he must needes take endelesse vengeaunce of them that despise his iustice. Therefore so soone as wee see the blowes come neere vs, let vs bee afrayde, and let euery of vs [ 30] make haste to returne vnto him, whome wee haue offended, to wit, our GOD, to ob∣tayne forgiuenesse of our trespasses. That is the onely remedie, without which there will bee neyther ende nor measure of our afflictions, except wee take order to reconcile our selues to our God.

Nowe where hee alleageth, that none shall saue them: That is to cut off all the vayne hopes which men doe forge to them selues in their owne braynes, when hee puni∣sheth [ 40] them. They looke hither and thither, and if they finde any comfort in this worlde, it seemeth vnto them, that they shall make a stoppage against God, and that they shall bee able to winne the goale in the ende. In deede they will not say so; for it is a blasphe∣mie which all of vs doe holde accursed; but yet wee bee so doltish, that wee hope to turne away the hande of GOD when wee finde any [ 50] helpe heere: in so much that if men beare vs any fauour, and wee bee supported in any thing, wee arme our selues therewith a∣gainst God. But Moses telleth vs heere, that it is in vayne for men to seeke dyuers succours after that fashion, when GOD warreth vppon them. For why? All crea∣tures are in his hande, and without him they can doe nothing. More ouer, that which is for our benefite, shall become our bane, and all thinges shall redounde to our confusion. [ 60] Let vs not therefore looke to bee saued by anye meanes that may bee, when our Lorde taketh parte against vs: but let vs returne vnto him, seeing that there is none other remedie but that, and let vs ridde our selues of all such thinges as may hinder vs to come to repentance.

Let vs then bee quickened vp by these two sayings of Moses, that wee sleepe no more in our vayne fantasies, as wee haue beene earst too much accustomed. But what? There are very fewe which thinke vppon that. For euery man martyreth himselfe, if his griefe continue, and hee fynde no helpe in men. In all our afflictions, wee can complayne wel∣ynough: but wee consider not that GOD withholdeth mennes helpe from vs, when hee intendeth to punish vs, in such wise that wee shall (after a sorte) bee vtterly ouerwhel∣med. And againe, if our sorrowe continue; it is, because wee haue persisted too much in our stubbornnesse. Wee thinke not a whit of all this. But yet are not these things written in vayne. And therfore let vs learne to pro∣fite better thereby, than wee haue done in times past.

Finally, Moses setteth foorth by this threa∣tening, howe wee shalbee vexed and robbed, if wee offende against the lawe of God. Hee sayeth: Thou shalt marry a wife and not lye with her: Thou shalt buylde a house, and not dwell therein: Thou shalt plant a vyneyarde, and not ga∣ther the fruite thereof. Yea, they shall take thy Beefe, and thy Muttons and kill them, and thou shalt continue still a hungred: and not onely all thy cattell shall bee made a praye and a bootie: but thy verie children also shall bee deliuered into the handes of thine enimies, and thou shalt yerne after them, and thine eyes shall dasle for verie greefe and sorrowe, & in the meane whyle, thy hande shalbee without strength or power to recouer them. It had beene ynough to haue sayde in one worde, Thou shalt suffer robberies, extortions, and wronges: but because men are slowe, it behooueth them to bee so much the better touched, and to be∣holde the thing as it were before their eyes. That is the cause why Moses speaketh heere of houses and vyneyeardes, of wiues and chil∣dren, and of cattell. As if hee shoulde say: Some shall bewayle the taking away of their houses which they had builded, the putting of them from their vyneyeardes and their other possessions, the spoyling of their goods, and the driuing away of their cattell: And other∣some shall bewayle the wrong that is done vn∣to them in their children, and in their very wiues. But wee bee to consider that all these thinges bee the scourges of God, wherewith hee punisheth vs for our sinnes.

It is certayne (as I haue sayde alreadie here∣tofore) that GOD at sometimes, for the ex∣ercising of the faithfull in patience, doeth sende them the verye chasticementes heere mentio∣ned, and yet punisheth them not for their of∣fences. For Iob was not punished for his sinnes: Not that GOD had not iust cause so to doe, but for that hee had no respect to that: howe so euer the case stand, surely it is an ordinarie matter.

In deede wee may alleage many examples of men that are tormented and vexed by the wic∣ked, so as they bee driuen from post to piller, and robbed of their goods: such examples doe happen euery day: but this prooueth not, that this doctrine taketh not place, and that it is not true in it selfe, as an ordinarie rule, to wit, that God punisheth mens sins by such meanes. Nowe when wee haue walked in the feare of God, and endeuoured to serue him: and yet [ 10] notwithstanding, our substaunce is taken away, and the robbers possesse it: let vs consider, that if this bee not doone for our sinnes, our Lorde giueth vs a great preeminence. For first of all, of whome was it long that wee offended him not? We were preserued by his holy spirite. And moreouer, notwithstanding any good af∣fection and zeale that wee haue had to liue vp∣rightly and vncorruptly; yet wee cease not to be guiltie before God. But what for that? Hee [ 20] spareth vs, and yet hee meaneth to trye our patience, for to humble vs. When it is his will that wee shall beare the miseries, which bee punishmentes for them that despite his lawe, and that wee must feele them: well, wee must stoope. And thereby hee tryeth vs, howe pli∣able wee bee vnder his hande to yeeld vnto his gouernement, as shall stande with his good pleasure. Moreouer, this alwayes taketh place, (as wee haue sayde afore) that our Lord [ 30] punisheth the offences and transgressions of his lawe, by the things that are specified here. So then, when a man buildeth, let him take heede that hee buylde not with extortion, pil∣ling, polling, and robberie, vnlesse it bee his meaning to haue his house taken from him, according as it is spoken by the Prophet Aba∣cuc.* 1.5 For the Prophet bringeth in the walles singing and answering one another. For in as much as mens Palaces and houses, bee often∣times [ 40] buylded with bloud, robberie, extortion, and wicked practises: and the verie walles them selues doe crye out that they were buyl∣ded with pilling and polling: it must needes waken vp Gods wrath and vengeance against such buylders. Desire wee then to bee harbou∣red in peace? Let vs looke that wee buylde without doyng wrong to any body, whatsoe∣uer hee bee.

And moreouer let euery of vs in his dwel∣ling, [ 50] dedicate himselfe in such wise to God, as hee may dwell with vs. For they that are dri∣uen out of their dwellings, haue commonly driuen God out before: that is to say, they haue followed some lewde trade, so as GOD hath not reigned there. Is it then any wonder, if they bee driuen thence in the ende? No: For why? Shall GOD bee thrust from his right; and wee in the meane while possesse eue∣ry man his dwelling in rest? Were that reason? [ 60] Therefore, when wee see such changes to hap∣pen, as they bee to bee seene in the worlde: let vs vnderstande that GOD driueth them out, which earst woulde giue him no lodging: and let such examples admonish vs to stande in feare of the threatenings heere specified. And let vs not tarrie till our Lorde banish vs from the place where wee bee harboured: but let vs rather endeuour to serue him, so as hee may continue alwayes with vs to maintayne vs. And if it come to passe, that wee bee driuen out, let vs vnderstande that the same is for our sinnes: for it is better late than neuer. Moreouer, if we bee driuen out for any other cause, as at this day wee see the poore faithfull people, in state like a byrde on the bough, as though the earth coulde not beare them:* 1.6 as Saint Paul speaketh of his time, and as it is knowen at this present time that the children of God bee as vaga∣bondes, hauing not a hole to hyde themselues in: when wee beholde these things, let vs vnderstande, that forasmuch as our Lorde lea∣deth vs this walke, hee doeth vs great fauour that the same is not because of our sinnes, but for his names sake, and for our better esta∣blishment in the hope of the heauenly inheri∣tance, seeing that there is nothing sure nor sta∣ble in this present worlde, but that wee must alwayes aspire to the eternall life, and to the rest that is prepared for vs on high. Let vs then acknowledge the good that hee doeth vnto vs in this poynt. But in any wise, let vs take good heede that wee prouoke not his wrath against vs is such sort as I haue said afore.

Nowe, whereas hee sayth: Thou shalt marrie a wife, and another shall lye with her: let euery man take heede to walke in such chastitie, as hee drawe not vppon him this curse of God, in such wise as to bee depriued of the wife the he thinkes to haue: and the wiues in like case of their husbandes. Wee see howe men bee gi∣uen ouer to all vnchastitie, and God must needs yeelde them their rewarde accordingly. Dauid himselfe was not spared in this case.* 1.7 Wee heare howe it was sayde vnto him: Thou hast done this in secrete, but that shalbee done o∣penly. Hee was fayne to abyde reproche be∣fore all the worlde, in hauing his wiues raui∣shed openly. Sith it is so then; let vs take good heede, that wee walke in such chastitie, that when men take wiues, they may so liue toge∣ther as they may feele the blessing of God, and that their marryages bee not broken through. the committing of any offence. For, as I haue sayde: it is no wonder that there bee so con∣fused changes in the worlde at this day, because men doe more and more kindle the wrath and vengeance of God. It is euen in like case with adulteries. For what is the cause that they reygne so ryfe, and are come (as yee woulde say) to their full pryde? It is because wedlocke is so little regarded, and that there is no feare of God: there is neither faith nor trueth: and therefore must men needes plunge themselues in all misfortune, so that in the ende there will bee nothing but disorder. So much the more therefore ought wee to take warning to walke so in all cleannesse of life, as euery one may keepe him to his owne wife, and the Lorde blesse their marryages and mayntayne

them in quietnes.

Moreouer, seeing that God is matched with vs in the person of his onely sonne, and woulde haue vs to keepe fast the faith of wedlocke to∣wardes him, according to the simplicitie of his Gospell: let vs sticke throughly to that which hee hath commaunded vs: and to bee short, let vs be halowed vnto him, and followe his holy calling. For if wee doe so, our Lorde will graunt vnto husbandes the grace to liue quietly with [ 10] their wiues and housholds, and vnto the wiues that they shall learne to liue in good agreement with their husbandes. For wee must marke, that if man and wife doe not ioyne in one mynde, there must needes bee discorde in the whole house, and one shall byte and snatch at another like dogges and cattes, and the one woulde wish the other a hundred foote vnder the ground, so as they shall liue in continuall miserie and dis∣quietnes. And why? Because that neither the [ 20] one nor the other hath any regarde to God, to yeelde themselues to his direction. Therefore let vs leane, not to prouoke any more the ven∣geance of God in this case.

As concerning the landes and possessions he sayeth: That the transgressours of the law of God shall plant vines, but they shall neuer gather the fruite of them. Nowe wee see that they which haue thus offended God, bee the stoutest and boldest sort, bearing themselues in hand that no harme [ 30] can come neere them. And that is the cause why wee see that the greatest getters, & the do∣ers of greatest enterprises, are those which wil∣fully giue them selues to pilling and polling by hooke and by crooke, hauing no care what pol∣ling and extorsion they commit, and offending both God and man without ende or measure. Such persons as these therefore must afterward yeelde an account. [They beare themselues in hand] that when they haue plāted vyneyeards, [ 40] they shall inioy them without controuersie: and that when they haue buylded houses, they shall dwel in them without putting out againe. Thus do men hardē thēselues against God. But Moses cōtrariwise declareth: That when they haue planted vines, other men shall gather the fruite of them. And in deede, whereas wee see at this day so much theeuerie in the worlde; let vs vnderstand, that it is because there bee so fewe that haue cleane handes, and are able to protest that they haue [ 50] not encroched vppon the goods of other men by vniust meanes. Soothely there is so vnmea∣surable disorder nowadayes, that the children of God bee fleeced though they abstayne from all manner of iniuries. But we must euermore haue recourse to the ordinarie course whereof I haue spoken, to wit, that our Lorde will not fayle to punish the sinnes that breake out after that fashion like a waterfloud. As for them that haue landes and possessions, they will not goe [ 60] to steale otherfolkes goods, nor to picke a fewe grapes: they will not go filchingly to cut down a patche of medowe: it is for beggers to doe for and wee see in these dayes, that the most parte of poore folkes are pilferers, filching and stea∣ling all that euer they can finger. But yet they that haue landes and possessions, bee the grea∣test theeues: for the things which they possesse, they get by vnlawfull meanes. It is no wonder then, if God do requite them with the like; and that they bee so vexed in their goods and pos∣sessions. God therefore sheweth vs by experi∣ence, that his vttering of such speeches is not in vayne; but wee thinke not thereon. Men can well ynough complayne, as I haue sayde afore: but they haue no regarde to the princi∣pall poynt, which is; that GOD putteth the thinges in execution which hee spake by the mouth of Moses. Let vs therefore beethinke our selues; and whereas wee see so much stea∣ling, both of vynes, of corne, and of such other things; let vs vnderstande that our Lorde pu∣nisheth the rauenousnesse and extortion that is committed both in marchandize, and in all other trades of occupying: and let vs not tarye till GOD doe punish vs in verie deede; but let vs walke vprightly, if wee will haue him to defende vs. For although that all places bee neuer so full of theeues; yet will our Lorde keepe our goods in safetie, if wee walke in his feare, and abstayne from all manner of euill doing. That is the thing whereunto we must haue our recourse; and wee must not thinke to escape euill, by euill doing: but wee must vse the remedie which our Lorde setteth foorth in this text. As much is to bee sayde of our cat∣tell, and also of our children. Yea, and Moses proceedeth still with inlarging, to the ende that men shoulde so much the better perceiue, what the effect is of this speeche which hee vseth: namely, that this shalbee for euer. As if hee shoulde saye, that the hande of God shall euer waxe heauier and heauier. In so much that if a man which is driuen from his dwelling, doe thinke to remooue to his possessions, and to his landes; GOD will persecute him euen there: and if hee thinke to cheere himselfe with his wife, shee shalbee taken from him by force: and if hee thinke to fynde some comfort in his children, they shalbe deliuered into the hands of his enimies; and if hee thinke to haue any recourse to his cattell, they shalbee all stolne or taken away by force. Moses therefore beset∣teth vs heere on all sides, to the ende wee shoulde learne to resort vnto our God; foras∣much as it is in vayne, for vs to labour to es∣cape by any other way. This is the matter in effect which wee haue to beare in minde of this text.

Nowe hee addeth moreouer, to the in∣crease of the mischeefe, That the fruits of the earth and the labour of our handes, shalbee eaten by a peo∣ple which wee haue not knowen: and that wee our selues shalbee distraughted by reason of the miseries which shall so light vppon vs. That is to say, wee shalbee as out of our wittes, beholding the mischiefe before our eyes; and beeing amazed thereat, whereby wee shalbee enforced to perceiue that the hande of God is against vs. That is in effect the matter which hee meant to say in this text.

Nowe I haue tolde you that the miserie is so much the more greeuous to beare, when a peo∣ple vnknowen commeth to ransacke all. True∣ly if we be robbed by our owne neighbours, and by them that should bee at amitie with vs: the same is verie harde to beare. But if there come a straunge people, there is lesse mercie. For when men bee so separated one from the o∣ther, and haue no intercōmoning at al: there is the lesse likelihoode of any meanes of safetie. [ 10] And wee see howe this repetition heere is often founde in the Prophetes: insomuch as it is saide sometimes,* 1.8 that the people which shall perse∣cute vs, shall be a barbarous people without lan∣guage whereby to haue any take with vs: by reason whereof, when we shall aske them mer∣cie, and cry alas, it shall seeme vnto them that wee curse them; and that shall be an increase of their crueltie. So then lette vs marke, that his speaking thus of a straunge people, is to make [ 20] vs to vnderstande, that GOD will sende vs such chastisers as will haue no pitie nor compassion of vs, vntill they haue quite and cleane rooted vs out.

And nowe by the way we warned, that al∣though the plague be not yet come neere vs, we must not therefore fall asleepe. For wee doe alwayes measure God; threateninges, by our owne conceiuing of them, and by the thinges that offer themselues to our fight. When men [ 30] speake of warre, and doe threaten vs with the Turke, But how can he come at vs say we? He is too farre off. Againe, can such a Prince inuade vs? Tush, he shall be letted by such a meane: the plague can not come that way, by reason of such a cause. He may be dealt withall by such a meane; it can not be. When wee haue such kinde of worldely shiftes to defende our selues withall, thereupon wee despise GOD, not in worde, but in deede, for wee continue vnrefor∣mable [ 40] and frowarde, and feare not that the plague can come at vs. Therefore sayeth God, that he will stirre vppe straunge people against vs, euen people of farre Countryes. When men doubt in least, then shall they wonder to see howe GOD will come in vppon them on that side which they neuer thought of, and bring them enemies to spoyle them. Lette vs then marke by this texte, that Gods scourges lye sometimes hidden, and breake our vppon a sud∣daine, [ 50] so as men are taken tardie by them, ac∣cording to this saying,* 1.9 that they be like to a wo∣man that is childe bearing. For a woman that is with childe; is vtterly abashed when her houre is come; euen so fareth it with them that are puffed vp with their iniquities, and delight in them: they forecast not that the hande of God is neere them.* 1.10 It commeth vppon them like a tempest; when they say, Peace and all is safe, then commeth their ruine and vtter destructi∣on. [ 60] Therefore whereas we be tolde of strange people, lette vs learne to looke farre bee∣fore vs when GOD doeth threaten vs; for like a•• faith must aduaunce it selfe aboue the worlde to take holde of Gods promises, that it may rest altogether vppon them: so likewise when GOD threatneth vs, our fayth must looke further off than we can see with our eyes, and we mistrust the thing which wee see not at all: like as wee may perceiue that Noe tarryed not till the floude breake out, and that GOD did vnlocke the Raine of heauen,* 1.11 and opened the waterspringes of the earth: but as soone as hee hearde the woorde, hee did nothing but thinke vpon the vengeaunce of GOD: and by vertue of that worde, he behelde the floude as if it hadde beene present: and hee liued in such feare and carefulnesse, as if he had seene the rayne both euening and morning to destroy all thinges before his eyes. Euen so should we do: and we be warned thereof by this saying, where God speaketh of farre countries.

Moreouer wee bee therewithall warned to liue in peace and concorde. For seeing that GOD hath associated vs and wee be intermin∣gled together: we must learne to liue in such v∣nitie, as our Lorde neede not to bring straunge enemies to chastise our churlishnesse in resem∣bling cats and dogs. For when men which ought to agree together, doe vexe one another; it cau∣seth GOD to stirre vp straungers to bee their enemies; because that the neerer that our Lord commeth vnto vs, the more would he haue vs giuen to doe good one to another. And if wee doe the contrarie, then must GOD stirre vp a people to come to spoyle vs, because we haue not liued in peace like brethren, ne knitte our∣selues together like fingers of one hande. This is the thing which wee haue to beare in minde touching this text.

Nowe where he sayeth, And you shall be ama∣zed at the sights which you shall see: it is according to that which was sayde before;* 1.12 namely: that men shold be distraughted, and grope at noone∣day, as doeth the blinde in the darke. For if wee be borne withall so farre as to gather and plucke vppe our spirites to call vppon GOD, and to bee patient in our afflictions; it is a great grace, and such a one as can not bee sufficiently estee∣med. But if our Lorde incourage vs not to re∣pentaunce, ne giue vs wherewith to asswage and diminish our sorrowes, but all hope is taken away, and we be as folke already forlorne, so as we bee besides our wittes to see the naked sword continually before vs, hauing no meane of re∣medie or succour at all: that is a dreadfull threatning. Neuerthelesse it is not sent with∣out cause, considering the hardenesse of hearte which is to bee seene in all men. For vntill GOD haue brought vs to this straughtednesse, we be altogether blockish, and we haue the con∣trarie vice, which is, that we can verie well com∣playne when any thing doeth trouble vs: yea, and sometimes we lye as beaten downe, but yet doeth not that make vs to come againe to God: for we see howe euery man taketh the bridle in his teeth, so as they shake off all feare, and ne∣uer thinke vpon that which is set downe heere. And so we see howe men become blockish. Now our Lorde would faine drawe them to repen∣taunce,

at leastwise if they were teacheable, that is to say, if they were not wilfull stubborne. For he tryeth all manner of wayes to drawe vs vnto him. This is the cause why hee doeth correct vs gently, and as it were within com∣passe, as with his litle finger. But when hee seeth that that will nothing preuayle; then must he bring vs to this kinde of woodnesse. For vntill he hath les•• vs as men distraughted, we wil neuer haue our minds peaceable and obedient, [ 10] we will neuer be wunne.

Therefore let vs marke well that this threat∣ning is directed to such as stoope not at the first blowe when GOD hath warned them, but goe on from euill to worse: for then must they of necessitie come to this woodenesse. Nowe he speaketh expresly concerning the sightes of the eyes. For men doe blinde themselues (as I haue sayde heeretofore) persuading with themselues that they can escape by some mean: [ 20] in so much that although wee see the euill at hande, yet ye woulde wonder to see howe wee holde on our course, and care not for it, accor∣ding as the prophet Esaie speaketh of the wic∣ked:* 1.13 saying that when the scourge passeth ouer the whole earth, and the storme ouer taketh them all, they bee not any whit mooued there∣at. After that manner doe the despisers of GOD speake, and the number of them is infi∣nite. So then, when men doe thus blinde their [ 30] eyes, and haue no respect at all to the plagues whereunto they be subiect: but notwithstan∣ding that they fall into infinite troubles out of the which they can not get out againe, yet they holde on stil: forasmuch as they be so frowarde, Moses sayeth expressely in this texte: You shall haue a sight before your eyes: that is to say, after that you haue beene a long while hardened in your vaine fantasies, and haue flattered your∣selues in your sinnes, imagining that GOD [ 40] should spare you and that you be (as it were his mates, and haue made a league with death and with the graue,* 1.14 according as the Prophet spea∣keth of it: when as you haue beene thus a long while vntouched with any awe, and haue decei∣ued yourselues in bearing yourselues in hande that your plague shall not last: There shall come a sight that shall make your eyes to dazle in behol∣ding the infinite mischiefes which you must bee faine to endure: and which way so euer you [ 50] turne your eyes, whether it bee vpwarde or downeward, foreward or backeward, you shal see Gods hande continually pursewing you; by reason whereof you shal be driuen into a mad∣nes. Let vs learne therefore to conuert this text to our benefite: and whyle GOD doeth for∣beare vs, or at the least so moderate his plagues that wee be not thereby altogether ouerthrow∣en; let vs feare him, and lette vs bethinke our∣selues howe sundrie wayes wee haue offended GOD: insomuch that if he listed to deale ry∣gorously with vs, we shoulde then perish euerie minute of an houre. And therewithall lette vs not tarrie till hee thunder downe vppon vs, and powre out his curses vppon vs in such sorte as they may sinke into our verie bones: but let vs returne to him and to his goodnesse. And aboue all thinges when hee giueth vs the grace to foresee his plagues afarre off, so as wee may say that others bee punished for our instructi∣on: lette vs take warning by their example, and in such wise by faith receiue Gods correcti∣ons wherewith he threatneth vs, as it may pre∣serue vs from that sight whereof Moses spea∣keth heere: to the intent that our Lorde strike vs not with such feare, as we can not in anie wise thinke to receiue any recorde of his goodnesse by reason of our sinnes. Nay rather, that by putting this lesson of obeying him and of sub∣mitting our selues vnto him in vre, wee may es∣chewe this foresayde amazednesse, and not bee so oppressed as wee shoulde become like folke that were out of their wittes. Let vs not come to such an extremitie, neither let vs compell GOD to execute such Threateninges against vs.

Nowe let vs fall downe before the maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgement of our sinnes: beseeching him to vouchsafe to make vs so to vnderstande them, as euery one of vs may be his owne iudge, and turne to him, before we be thereunto constrayned: and that hauing wil∣lingly condēned ourselues & bewailed out sins, we may seeke to return to his obedience in such wise, as the same may be to dedicate vs wholely vnto him. And that in the meane while it may please him y^t like as he hath sent vs the message of reconciliation by his gospell, he will also giue vs y^t grace to obtaine mercie of him, & forgiue∣nes of all our sinnes in the name of our Lord Ie∣sus Christ: and that resting thereupon, we sayle not to walke alwaies in feare: and that his bea∣ring with vs through his fatherly goodnes may not cause vs to sleepe in our sinnes, and to flatter ourselues in them: but y^t euery of vs may quicken vp himselfe, vntil we be quite and cleane rid of them. And that forsomuch as wee are to passe through so much filthines in this world, we may be taught to amende our misdoinges continually vntil that we be throughly ridde of them, for the full vniting of vs to himselfe, and to make vs per∣takers of his heauenly glorie. That it may please him to graunt this grace, not only to vs but also to all people and nations of the earth, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Cor. 11.31
• * 1.2

  Esa. 33.1.
• * 1.3

  Matt. 7.2.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 103.8. Psal. 18.27.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••.11.
• * 1.6

  1. Cor. 4.••••
• * 1.7

  2. Sam. 12.12
• * 1.8

  〈…〉〈…〉 19.
• * 1.9

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.10

  〈…〉〈…〉. 33.
• * 1.11

  Gen. 6.22.
• * 1.12

  Deut. 28.2••
• * 1.13

  Isa. 28.15.
• * 1.14

  Isa. 28.15.