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 Wednesday the v. of May, 1556. The CLXXVI. Sermon which is the fourth vpon the one & thirtith Chapter.

17 Is it not because my God is not with me, that these euils haue found me out?

18 But I will hyde my face in that day because of the wickednesse which hee shall haue committed, euen for that he shall haue turned away to other gods.

19 Now therefore wryte this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel, putting it in their mouthes, that this song may be a witnesse to mee against the children of Israell.

20 When I haue brought them into the lande which I sware to their fathers, flowing with milke and hony: and they shall haue eaten and beene filled and become fatte, and haue turned away to other gods, and serued them, and blasphe∣med mee, and broken my couenaunt.

21 And when many euils and tribulations be come vppon them: then shal this song answere to their face for a witnesse: for it shall not be forgotten in the mouth of their seede: for I knowe their thoughtes, and what they doe already at this day before I haue brought them into the land for the which I haue sworne.

THe chiefe thing that God tel∣leth vs, to assure vs in this pre∣sent [ 60] life, is this, that hee hath his eye vpon vs, and that he is so mindefull of our welfare, that nothing shall want vs, be∣cause he is able to prouide all thinges that bee necessarie for vs; and therewithall is able also to defende vs from all anoyaunce, insomuch that his eye is vnto vs a buckler, a fortresse, and a shadowe to shroude vs vnder it. Likewise it is sayde of his good will in the fifth Psalme, that it shall be our shielde. The thing then where∣in the faithful ought to rest and reioyce: is y^t God looketh vpon them with compassion y^t he neuer forgetteth them, that he guideth all their steps,

and that he hath a fatherly care ouer them to remedie all their euilles. And on the contrarie side, the greeuousest threat that God can vtter is to turne his face away from vs, and no more to vouchsafe to haue care either of vs, or of our life, but to forsake vs. For then wee are set o∣pen to Sathan and all maner of misfortune. And where is then our defence? For wee haue no meane to resist, we see we be fraile and wretched creatures, there is nothing in vs. And therefore [ 10] wo be to them of whom God wil haue no longer care; but forsaketh them as those that belong not vnto him at all, ne be of his housholde. And that is the thing which he sayeth in this place, that when the people of Israell haue left him, hee will hide his face from them, and will be no more their father, as he had beene afore time. Nowe this is so spoken vnto the Iewes, as it ought to serue vs also for a warning at this day. Will we then haue this souereigne and inestimable benefite, [ 20] namely, that God should guide vs; that our life should be in his hande, and that he should take vs into his keeping to vpholde vs? Then must we looke that we call vpon him, and as we pro∣fesse his name, so must we also serue him in truth according to this saying of Saint Paul, that who soeuer calleth vpon the name of the Lorde, that is to say, whosoeuer protesteth to be of his peo∣ple, must depart from all iniquitie. Therefore let vs learne to serue our God with a pure con∣science, [ 30] to resort to him for refuge, and to put our whole trust in him. And then are we assured that one hayre of our heade shall not fall away without his will. For if he haue care of the spar∣rowes, (as our Lorde Iesus sayth) what will he doe by them whom he hath chosen for his chil∣dren? We be not onely men created after his owne Image, but he hath also set his marke vpon vs, to the end to saue vs as members of our Lord Iesus Christ. Let vs not doubt therefore, but that [ 40] he wil euermore performe the duetie of a father in looking to vs. But if in the meane while we become wandering beastes, and euery man fall away from him; then must that which is pronoū∣ced heere be accomplished vppon vs, namely, that God will hide his face: not because that he forgetteth any thing: but he speaketh in this manner after the fashion of men, to make vs to vnderstande that in deede he will not looke vp∣on vs with compassion, nor prouide for our life, [ 50] nor succor any of our necessities; but that he will doe y^e cleane contrary, that is to say, that he will leaue vs for such as we be, and shew vnto vs, that we be not worthy for him to encumber himselfe any more with vs, or to busie himselfe about vs. Surely it is a dreadfull vengeance, when GOD hath so forsaken vs. Therefore let vs beware that we sticke so vnto him, as there may bee an inseparable band betwixt vs, that is to say, as we for our part may honour him as our father, re∣posing [ 60] and setting all our trust in him: and he go forewarde continually in doing vs good, and as his regarde may be the couert to hide vs from al y^e assaults of Sathan, from all the troubles that he deuiseth against vs, and from the hurtes and a∣no••ances of this worlde.

Now he sayeth expressely, that he will bring the Iewes to that passe, that they shall confesse those mischiefes to bee falne vppon them, be∣cause God is not amongst them. Heere he treateth of a forced confession: for hee speaketh not a whit of true repentance, but onely of a remorse which all the despisers of God doe feele, for that they haue of long time beene stubborne, yea and skorned all correction. When they be pin∣ched to the vttermost y^t they can no longer hold out; then must they needs confesse spite of their teethes, that there is a God which is their Iudge. He sayth that the Iewes shall make such a con∣fession, when he hath brought them vnder foote with maine strokes. Heereby we see y^t he threat∣neth them that his punishing of them shall not be mieldly and after the cōmon maner; but that also he will vse such rigour▪ that what hardnesse and stubbornesse soeuer be in them, yet shal they be broken if they will not bowe, accordingly as I haue handled the same point heeretofore. Ne∣uerthelesse it is good for vs to bee often put in mind of it, & to bethinke vs thereof oftentimes. For men do alwayes deceiue themselues herein, that they thinke that they shall by and by scape the hande of God, and when they haue receiued a stripe or twaine, they doe but shake their eares & thinke all is done. Therefore if wee be stub∣borne in naughtinesse, let vs looke surely to bee beaten downe, vntill we be driuē to confesse that he punisheth vs iustly. Nay, let vs not tarry till then. But when we heare how God proceedeth against such as are vtterly hardhearted and will not yeeld vnto him, let vs be afraid. And as soone as we heare him threaten vs, or perceiue any to∣ken of his anger, let vs turne againe vnto him, and meeken our heartes, and let vs vnderstande y^t vntill he be appeased, our sorowes must needes increase, euen to the vtter ouerwhelming of vs. That is the thing which Moses ment in saying, that they which despise God and his word, shall feele that there is neither ende nor measure of their calamities, and that they shalbe cōstrained to say, These plagues are come vpon vs, because God is not among vs.

And heerewithall we must also marke the ex∣perience which the people had. For (as the cō∣mon prouerbe sayth) experience is the mistres of fooles. The people had then already of long time knowen what it was to haue God dwelling amongst them, and y^t it brought all maner of ioy, all maner of rest, and all maner of happines. And when y^t God was turned from thē, they were dri∣uen to consider to their cost, what an vnhappi∣nesse it was to haue him a stranger to thē. To be short, heere Moses sheweth the diuersitie y^t is to be seene, when God doth for a time blesse a peo∣ple, & make them to prosper: and contrariwise when for the misusing of his grace he turneth a∣way, and sheweth himselfe an enemie and ad∣uersarie against them. Nowe therefore while we inioy the tokens and Testimonies of Gods loue, let vs learne to serue and feare him, that y^e possession therof may continue with vs for euer. If we be so wicked and froward, as to skorn God when he vseth such goodnesse towarde vs. and

forbeareth vs with patience: let vs assure our∣selues that he will giue such glorie to his benefits as that the extreme miseries which he will make vs to feele, shall force vs to say, Where is the Lorde that dwelled with vs aforetime? Howso∣euer the case stand, Gods will was that the song which was deliuered to Moses, should be a wit∣nesse to aunswere against the people. He sayth yet againe that hee will hide his face, and that by reason thereof the people shall be a pray, and [ 10] vtterly deuoured, and that there shalbe nothing but tokens of horrible cōfusion in all their state. The people then is sufficiently warned and cer∣tified of Gods wrath: but yet God addeth this song more, to the ende that on the one side the people perceiuing their state so wretched, shold say, God punisheth me and that iustly. And on the other side, that in this similitude they might behold themselues as in a glasse, and that by the hauing of this song, they might bee put in minde [ 20] of their misdeedes and transgressions; and made to consider that God doth the office of a Iudge, and thereby be the more moued to thinke vpon their faultes, and to humble themselues. Now we see heere first of all, what dulnesse there is in men: for God giueth vs no superfluous thing, nay there neuer departeth word frō his mouth which is not profitable for vs, and which ought not to serue vs for instruction. Wherefore is it then that God giueth this song to the people of [ 30] Israell? It is because it should serue them for a Testimonie. At what time? Euen at such time as they should be afflicted to the vttermost, that they might be holden as it were on the torture, and be constrained to confesse the faultes and iniquities which they had committed. And how then? Could not the plagues which they endu∣red, suffice to bring them to reason, and to cause them to turne againe vnto God, whom they had forsaken? Yes in deede, were it not that men be [ 40] so hard hearted, that in seeing they perceiue not a whit, and that their wittes be as it were dulled and dead. We see by this then, that although our Lorde chastise men, euen with such extre∣mitie, as they must needes confesse that it is he to whom they be to aunswere and to yeelde ac∣count, and that it is his hande that pursueth them, and that he is their enemie: yet they be so foolish that they settle thēselues in their owne imaginations, and although they knowe it, yet [ 50] they bee not throughly perswaded of it in their heartes: but let it escape them and by and by forget it, vnlesse God doe put to his worde, and tell them. It is to me that you must haue an eye: for I do summō you before my iudgement seate. When I do thus scourge you, I set your faults be∣fore you, I do heere make out your processe for you. If God spake not when he striketh with his hande, the stripes would bee vnprofitable to vs. Now we perceiue the hardheartednes that is in [ 60] vs. For although it be heere spoken of the chil∣dren of Israel, yet doth the holy Ghost vnder the example of them, tell vs what we be. Therefore let vs learne to know our selues better, and con∣sider that although it bee needefull for vs to re∣ceiue instructiō concerning Gods punishments, least we should become vnreformable: yet not∣withstanding it would profit vs nothing, vnlesse we had the word of God, whereby he draweth vs to repentance, and by the which he doeth vs to vnderstande, that the thinges which we suffer must not be imputed to hap hazard, but we must vnderstand y^t they come frō him. And thus must we resort to the holy scripture, so often as wee be afflicted. For on y^e one side, when men are scour∣ged they chafe vppon the bridle, and become as doted, as if they were astonished with the stroke of a hammer; they thinke not of God. True it is that when they feele thēselues pinched with ad∣uersities, they crye alas, but they doe neuer the more lift vp their eyes to y^e hand of God, to vn∣derstande him to be their Iudge. Therefore we must proceed thus far; that is▪ we must haue re∣course vnto Gods word; and when God smiteth vs on this maner, let vs take warning to submit ourselues vnto him, & not keepe vs aloofe as we are wont. Now y^e same word not only will shewe vs y^t it is Gods hande that smiteth vs; but it will also bring vs to examine our life. It is not said in the scripture y^t God punisheth men not knowing wherefore, or y^t he taketh pleasure in tormen∣ting them: but it is sayd, that he punisheth them for their faultes so as we must alwaies needes ac∣knowledge his iustice; insomuch y^t if men coulde skill to profit themselues by the afflictions y^t are sent them, they be all of them as medicines, and Gods intent is to shew himselfe a father by war∣ning them after y^t maner. Moreouer they serue to make men inexcusable: insomuch y^t all the af∣flictions which they suffer in this world, shalbe an augmentation of the last vengeance, because they would not stoope vnder the hande of God, while he nurtured thē for their welfare. Thus ye see y^t when we be scourged, we must resort to the holy scripture, first of all to vnderstand y^t it com∣meth not by aduenture, but that our Lord doth thereby shew vnto vs y^t we haue offended him, & that he meaneth thereby to make vs to feele our sinnes, to the end we should not be so senselesse as we were before, to flatter & to hardē ourselues but that we should come directly vnto him, and yeelde ourselues guilty, yea euen with such mis∣liking of our sins, as we shold hate the euil y^t is in vs, and seek nothing but to be receiued vnto his gouernment, to be changed & renewed by him, so as wee may take no pleasure but onely in fra∣ming ourselues to his good pleasure. That is the thing which Moses meant in saying, y^t although the people should be constrained to say, y^t they suffered those so many plagues & miseries, be∣cause God was no more among them: yet should they also haue a testimony to follow thē, and to holde them as at a bay, as who would say, Thou shalt not escape, but shalt know y^t thy sins be the cause of al these euils; although thou seeke star∣ting holes, yet must thou bee as it were pent vp, and feele y^t God is against thee, & that thou shalt be more & more tormented, vntill thou turne a∣gaine vnto him. True it is that this is spoken of a witnesse y^t was against y^e people, and y^t it serueth to expresse y^e stubbornes which was in y^e children of Israell, as hereafter we shall see more at large.

And surely although God vouchsafe to shewe vs mercie, and would haue vs to heare his woord, to the intent to bring vs to repentaunce, yet must that woorde first bee a witnesse against vs. As for example, wee shall neuer obtaine fauour of God vntill hee haue condemned vs. And wherefore? Bicause we be wrapped in our sinnes, and doe sooth and flatter our selues in them. Nowe so long as men doe thus glory in them∣selues, or become carelesse, there is no place [ 10] for mercie: for they make but a scoffe of the goodnesse of GOD. Yee see then that wee bee shutte out from all hope of saluation, vntill wee bee condemned of God. To bring this to passe, his word must discouer our iniquities, and all our filthinesse, and make vs abashed and ashamed, and also driue vs to feele the sorrowes of death, and to see hell which is prepared for vs. The point then whereat God beginneth when hee meaneth to bring men to saluation, [ 20] is that he stirreth vp his worde for a witnesse to them, to make them to know that they be vtter∣ly forlorne and damned. Is that done? Then doth God admonish vs, and giue vs Testimonie of his good will; and not onely lay vs foorth his doctrine, but also recite the processe of all our faultes. Nowe then, let vs receiue the woord when it testifieth vnto vs our condemnation; that beeing drawen thereby to repentance, and altogether ashamed of our selues, wee may ob∣taine [ 30] fauour before GOD. Yet let vs vnder∣stande moreouer, that when GOD doeth so frame our inditement, it is for our benefite: for hee maketh vs our owne Iudges, to the in∣tent that hee himselfe would not iudge vs, but surceasse from it. Nowe if wee will needes play the wilde beastes, when as GOD testi∣fieth our sinnes vnto vs; or else if wee goe to seeke for leaues to couer vs, that is to say, if wee will needes scape his iudgement by our ly∣ing [ 40] and hypocrisie, and play the skoffers which make a mocke of all warninges that are giuen vnto them; or if we play the mad bedlems in despising GOD as we see many doe, who can∣not abyde any rebukes, but doe grinde their teeth as often as they bee made to vnderstande their sinnes; if (I say) wee doe proceede so farre, then must the woorde of God stand still in his first force, to wit, it must bee a Testimonie to vs of our damnation. And therefore seeing it [ 50] is sayde heere that the Song is a witnesse to a∣uow that GOD hath iust cause to punishe his people, and that the people stande conuicted thereby: let vs feare, let vs feare (I say) least our Lorde doe with lyke extremitie pursue the pro∣cesse which hee hath made against vs, and that there bee no place of refuge to his grace after wee haue once reiected it: nay rather, as soone as hee summoneth vs, let vs learne to stoope, and to shut our mouth; and not to make any ex∣cuse, [ 60] but to say; Lorde, wee see verie well, that if thou wouldest vse rigour towardes vs, we were vndoone, there is no shift for vs but that thou must receiue vs lyke damned and forlorne cast-awayes as wee bee, and bestowe thy mercie vp∣pon vs: for all our welfare lyeth in this, that thou looke no more vpon our sinnes to punish them, but that through thy free goodnesse, thou doe take them away and blot them out. Thus ye see how we ought to put this place in vre, where Moses sayeth, that this Song shall be for a witnesse to the people of Israel.

Hee sheweth yet better what testimonie hee giueth by this Song. It is (sayeth he) that I will bring you into the lande which I haue promised to your fathers, a land flowing with milke and honnie. Heere∣by he giueth vs to vnderstande, that it is a fatte lande, and fruitfull of all good things in such a∣bundance, as if milke did runne therein, in stead of Riuers: and as if they had withall the like a∣bundance of hony. This maner of speech is ve∣ry commonly vsed whensoeuer God speaketh of the land of Chanaan: and not without cause. For God had blessed it aboue all the rest of the world; yea and no doubt, but the people found that with their comming thither, the fruiteful∣nesse of that land was augmented. And surely it is a maruailous matter, how such a huge multi∣tude was nourished in so small a countrie. But at this day we see it is a land halfe barren. True it is that euen as yet there are some places thereof as little speckes, which are very fat & abundant; but yet farre vnable to verifie that which wee reade of it here, namely that the land did flowe with milke and honie. But herein we do so much the better see that which is spoken in the 107. Psalme, namely, that when God hath giuen ne∣uer so great fruitfulnesse to a land, he can make it barrain againe, as if it were sowed with salt, so as there shall be nothing but leannesse, nor any sustenance to bee found therein. Wee perceiue then by the land of Chanaan, how it is the hand of God that giueth aboundance to a land: and likewise that his withdrawing of his blessing, causeth a land to become fruitlesse and altoge∣ther barraine. And therefore doeth Moses nowe protest that when the people come into y^e land, and there be nourished, filled and fatted, & then serue straunge gods: they shalbee condemned so much the more: and then they must not looke for any startingholes, but bee discoue∣red to the whole world to their condemnation, and this present song shalbe as a processe wher∣in the forme of law is obserued; so as y^e summons shalbe made first, & then the examinations and informations shalbe exhibited; and afterward y^e malefactors being arrained and condemned by their owne mouth, shall receiue the sentence of iudgement against them. Now wee see what the meaning of Moses was.

Heereupon let vs marke that by making com∣parison of the woord of GOD with the thinges which are befalen vnto vs, and which wee haue felt by experience; wee ought to be wakened, or else we be too brutish. As for example, whereas the Scripture telleth vs that God bestoweth his richesse vppon men, of purpose to bring them backe vnto him by his gentlenesse, and father∣ly goodnesse; and also that hee continueth to doe them good, of purpose to drawe them to re∣pentaunce, when he seeth them goe astray: al∣though wee had no experience thereof, yet is it

certaine that the holy Scripture ought to suffice vs. But if wee looke into our owne state, and vppon the thinges whereof God hath giuen vs experience; and consider howe many wayes he hath shewed himselfe liberall towarde vs, so as his goodnesse is throughly knowen vnto vs, and we bee resolued that it is his hand that hath fed vs: surely y^t beholding of so many benefits which God hath bestowed vpon vs, ought to make vs to proceed yet farther, & to consider that although [ 10] we haue offended him, and bin wicked and vn∣thankfull; yet is he not weary to do vs good: but doth rather striue against our leaudnes, & ouer∣come it with his goodnes. When we think vpon these thinges, then hath y^e scripture a good testi∣mony of our experience, and then must we needs be so much y^e more guiltie. That is y^e thing which Moses meant in this text. For hauing tolde the Iewes that this Song should serue for a testimony to stop their mouthes so as they should not haue [ 20] any thing to reply against GOD, hee saith: for proofe heereof, I wil bring them into the land which I promised vnto their fathers, and there they shall be fedde and fatted. For seeing that euen after they haue tasted my goodnes so great towards them, they will needes turne away from mee, and fol∣low after strange gods: is it not ynough to bewray their filthynes vnto all the worlde? Must not all creatures be witnesses thereto? Shal not my word thē haue good authoritie to say, that they be too [ 30] leawd a people, & a people that are not worthy, that I should euer haue giuen them one morsell of bread to eate, & much lesse that I should haue adopted and chosen them from among all the nations of the world, to be a holy people, and a Royall preesthoode? Now we perceiue the mea∣ning of Moses. It remaineth y^t wee apply it to our vse. It was meete that the Iewes after this war∣ning peale, should haue acknowledged that they came not into y^e land of Canaan, otherwise than [ 40] by the leading of God, and that the same lande was giuen them in possession bicause of the Pro∣mise made to their father Abraham. Moreouer they saw, how God held them there. It is good reason then that they should haue concluded, that (seeing they were depriued of so great a be∣nefite, and yet God is vnchaungeable & altereth not his purpose) the euill came of themselues, in that they suffered not God to continue his mer∣cy toward them, but did refuse it, & shut the gate [ 50] against him. Indeede we haue not at this day a land of Canaan; we haue not y^t which the Iewes had, to be gathered into one certaine Country. But what? We be too blind, if we vnderstand not that what Country soeuer God hath giuen vs to liue in, yet it is he that doth harbour vs. And al∣though we had neither Testimony nor Token of his goodnesse as concerning this present life: yet there is a matter which passeth all this; which is, That he hath drawen vs out of the darkenesse of [ 60] damnation wherin we were plunged: and hath brought vs to y^e heritage of saluatiō. For through hope, we be already set aboue with Iesus Christ; as S. Paul speaketh in the Epistle to the Ephes. Yet neuerthelesse besides this, God of his excee∣ding great goodnes, faileth not to giue vs many mo testimonies of his fatherly loue: for who else nourisheth and feedeth vs in this world? Howe many waies doe we dayly perceiue that he hath his hand stretched out, yea or rather his winges, (as he saith in the Song) as it were to broode vs heere like little chickins? We see it with our eyes. Seeing then that wee haue so much experience of the goodnesse of God; and againe y^t on the o∣ther side, he by his scourging of vs doeth traine vs to the vnderstanding of our sinnes, and ther∣upon doeth offer vs his woorde wherein to be∣holde the articles that are layd against vs: must we not needes be too hard hearted and brutish, if wee bee not mooued to come vnto him with true repentance? So then, let vs learne to exer∣cise our selues better in the rememberaunce of Gods benefites, & to acknowledge them accor∣dingly, as he hath bound vs vnto him: and on y^e other side to consider, that if he at any time faile vs, the same must needes come of our vnthanke∣fulnes. For as for him, he will continually pro∣ceede more and more to doe vs good, vnlesse we hinder him, and turne away the course of his goodnesse, as if a man should stay the running of a Riuer. For the goodnesse of God is a foun∣taine that neuer dryeth; it is certaine that he ne∣uer ceasseth to doe vs good. Doeth he then scourge vs? Our sinnes must needes be the cause thereof, bycause we haue prouoked his wrath. After that manner must wee consider as well of Gods benefites, as of the afflictions that he sen∣deth vs, specially when wee bee warned by his word, as the way is here shewed vs.

And whereas he sayeth, That the people after that they be filled and fedde: It serueth to aggrauate their vnthankefulnesse the more. For if the peo∣ple of Israel had bin afflicted, and that thereup∣pon they had fallen away, [there had bin some colour:] as oftentimes men being tempted doe fall away from GOD bycause they be at their wits end. And albeit that the same be no suffici∣ent excuse, yet may it seeme that the fault is so much the lesse. As for example, whē a man hath meanely serued God, and it hath not appeared that he hath dealt amisse, but rather that hee had a good zeale and affection: if God there∣upon doe punish him, and he bee so vexed that he woteth not where to become; in so much that hee doe murmure, chafe, and blaspheme God, or is induced to doe euill; men will say, Wel, this man, as long as GOD dealt gently with him, did shewe himselfe to bee in good order: but nowe see what temptations doe. But when a man is blessed of GOD, and doeth prosper by all meanes, and it is Gods pleasure to wynne him by gentlenesse and goodnesse: if thereup∣pon hee become a rebell, and despise God, and giue ouer himselfe to all manner of loosenesse, (as some are seene to do, or rather as the com∣mon manner is, that as soone as GOD giueth men that which they doe long for and desire, they become drunken, and doe lose both wit and reason;) if a man [say I] doe then ouer∣shoote himselfe after that fashion when GOD dealeth with him so gratiously: is not his sinne so much the more haynous? Yes certainely.

That is the thing which Moses meant to de∣clare in this place; [where he sayeth.] They shal come into the Lande which I haue promised them, there will I sustaine them, there shall they bee filled and made fatte; and then will they turne away after straunge goddes. By these woordes we are made to vnderstande, that the more our Lorde maketh vs to feele his fauour and fatherly goodnesse, the more ought we to be allured to rest wholly vppon him that hee [ 10] may possesse vs, and the more ought all our wittes and affections to bee stayed vppon his loue, so as the diuell may not finde any breach nor gap open to deceyue vs, for so much as GOD hath so wonne vs vnto himselfe. That is the instruction which we must learne by this text, otherwise the complaynt that GOD maketh against the Iewes by his Prophet Iere∣mie, shall lyght vppon vs. My people [sayeth he] what haue I doone to thee? Heere GOD [ 20] entereth into disputation with the people by∣cause they were so defiled with Idolatry and had peruerted all together. Goe to (saith hee) let vs nowe pleade together; my people, what haue I doone to thee that thou shouldest com∣plaine? I haue brought thee out of the lande of Egypt, I haue stretched out my mightie hand to deliuer thee from thence, I haue ledde thee, and directed thee, I fedde thee in the wildernesse, I caused Manna to come from heauen, I gaue [ 30] thee the foode of Angels: and when thou wast come into the lande which I had promised thee, I fought against thine Enemies, and I gaue thee victorie against them all. But these bee not the cheefe matters: I haue moreouer giuen thee my Lawe, which is the couenant of lyfe and sal∣uation, I haue giuen thee my Sacrifices, to the intent thou shouldest haue a Testimonie that it is not without cause, that I would haue you to my selfe. Also I haue made thee to finde so [ 40] great riches of my bountie, that it is impossible to value the benefites which I haue bestowed on thee: and doest thou nowe fall to despising me, and to breaking thy fayth, and to turning away after straunge Gods? Is this the recompence that I looke for? If a man doe plant him a vine and tend it; he meaneth to eate and drinke the fruit thereof. And if the vine do yeeld a strange and a bitter fruite, to choke the maister withall, what wil come of it? Deserueth not such a vine [ 50] to be quite plucked vp? Let vs therefore bethink our selues, and not tarie till our Lorde accuse vs to haue greeued his holy Spirite: but let vs turne this text to our profite. And for as much as we knowe by experience, that he is a liberall father vnto vs; let it mooue vs to soften our hearts, how heard soeuer they bee, that wee may learne to giue ouer our selues wholly to him. Thus ye see whereto this Text ought to serue vs where it is sayde, I will set them in the Lande which I [ 60] haue promysed to their fathers, they shall bee nouri∣shed there and made fatte, and they shall turne away vnto straunge gods. And therefore seeing that GOD maintaineth vs, let vs suffer him also to guide and gouerne vs, vntil he hath brought vs to y^t eternal inheritaunce, which he hath promi∣sed vs, and which we looke for.

Yet moreouer hee saith, that this song shall aunswere them as a witnesse, because it shall ne∣uer depart from their mouth. Hereby we do see how it is our Lordes will y^t his word should serue not to some one vse onely; but also for a continu∣all instruction euen vnto the end; & that the fa∣thers should conuey it ouer to their childrē. And the chiefe succession which we ought to leaue to them that come after vs, is that when God hath once vttered his will vnto vs, wee must beware that it be not buried, so as none of vs bee so fond as to hold himselfe contented with his owne on∣ly knowing thereof, as though the light of salua∣tion ought to die with vs: but rather that they which come after vs may inioy it also. And ther∣fore when we our selues haue knowen God, and haue had his trueth preached among vs; wee must to the vttermost of our power indeuor, that it may continue after our death, and that our children may come to receive y^e doctrine which we haue followed. And if the word of God slip a∣way, and men think not thereon (as it is come to passe in the Popedome, & as it was afore time:) it commeth of their owne leawdnesse, and they must needes yeelde a reckoning for their disa∣nulling of so great a benefite. Wee see that the law was lost for a time amongst the people of Is∣rael, and this song was out of the mouthes of both great and small; but yet God at the last did not suffer the people to continue in such igno∣raunce; but it was his will that the Lawe was founde, and that the people came with great solemnitie to receiue it, and hee tolde them that they were woorthy of blame for defacing the doctryne of Saluation, and therefore hee willed them to repent. Nowe, seeing it is so; as I haue already touched, when GOD hath once taught vs his will, let vs learne (as I sayde afore) not onely to profite therein for the present tyme or for the tyme of our owne life, but also to procure as much as in vs lyeth that our Children after our death, may still enioy the same Religion, and that the name of GOD may euer bee had in remem∣braunce.

And although there be many that cannot pro∣fit themselues thereby; yet shall it turne to their condemnation, and God shall not fayle to bee glorified. For surely Moses speaketh in this place, not onely of Gods elect, and of such as were the true seede of Abraham: but also of such as were willing to take profite by the lawe, and were not altogether reprobates. For seeing it was Gods will that this song should bee in their mouthes: thereby wee ought to be so much the better ad∣uertised, that our Lord doeth oftentimes leaue his worde to the worlde, to bee a message and a testimonie of his loue and goodnes; howbeit not for the saluation of all men, but for the condem∣nation of the greater part. Wee see that euen among the Heathen there remained alwayes a remnant of the trueth: wee see such sentences vttered by the heathen, as it is impossible for a naturall man to thinke the least of them which they haue alleaged. By what meanes then did

they it? It was Gods dooing, who brought them so farre foorth to their greater condemnation; and at the last day they shall full well be brought in minde of it againe. Nowe if we haue the word of GOD, which ought to bee a much more fa∣miliar instruction to vs; and that God constrai∣neth vs to haue our eares beaten therewith, and to bee able to talke thereof; if wee make none account thereof, but walke altogether contra∣rie to it, so as it may seeme that wee haue con∣spired [ 10] to prouoke the wrath of GOD against vs; Alas how dreadfull condemnation is readie for vs? Therefore let vs looke well to our selues, and let vs consider that our Lorde doeth often times leaue his worde in the mouth of men, not to the intent they should be instructed thereby to their profite; (for they be neither worthie nor capable thereof, bycause of their malice and re∣bellion,) but to the intent they should haue the lesse excuse, at such time as they must con∣demne [ 20] themselues, and when this sentence is to bee executed vppon them, namely, Thou wic∣ked seruaunt I condemne thee, yea euen by thine owne mouth. Let vs therefore take heede of that, and let vs make such confession of Gods trueth; as the same may proceede from the roote of our heart, and be a good Sacrifice, and so consequently turne to our saluation, as Saint Paule sayeth in the tenth Chapter to the Ro∣manes, which was alleaged by mee, not long si∣thens. [ 30] Thus must the woorde of GOD bee al∣waies in our mouth, not to condemne vs, in such wise, as wee may sit rucking still continually in our filthinesse: but to condemne vs in such wise as wee may bee touched with repentaunce, and vtterly mislike of our sinnes, and flee vnto God to obtaine fauour at his hand: yea euen in such wise, as he may rule and gouerne vs by his holy spirit, and from hencefoorth bee glorified in all our life.

Nowe let vs fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgement of our faultes: beseeching him to vouchsafe more and more to giue vs a true vnderstanding and fee∣ling of that which wee haue deserued, so as wee may bee altogether cast downe in our selues, and lay away all glorying of our selues, and that our whole resorting for refuge may bee alonely to his goodnesse: and that in the meane whyle we may sigh vnder the burthen of our flesh, for so much as wee bee so ouerloaden, that wee are not able to come to him with so pure affection, as we ought: and that he will augment the gra∣ces of his holy spirit, vntill he haue rid vs quite and cleane of all maner of vices and imperfecti∣ons, and renewed vs after his owne image, so as we may forsake all thinges, to giue our selues vn∣to him: and that renouncing this present world, we may labour to attayne to the inheritaunce of the heauenly life. That it may please him to graunt this grace, not onely vnto vs, but also to all people and nations of the earth, &c.

Notes

• Psal. 5.3.
• 〈…〉〈…〉 19.
• 〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 10.29
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3.7.
• Psal. 107.34
• Exod. 19.6. 1. Pet. 2.9.
• Eph. 2.6.
• Deut. 32.11
• 〈…〉〈…〉 25.
• 〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• Luke. 19.22.
• Rom. 10.10.