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 Fryday the xij. of Aprill. 1555. The fift Sermon vpon the first Chapter.

19 Then departed we from Horeb, and went through the wildernesse which is great and terrible, as you haue seene, along the way of the hil of the Amorrhytes, as the Lord our God had commaunded vs, and we came to Cades barne.

20 And I said vnto you, come ye to the Hil of the Amorrhytes which the Lord our God doth giue vs.

21 Behold, the Lord thy God setteth the Land before thee: Goe vp and pos∣sesse it as the Lord the God of thy fathers hath saide vnto thee. Shrinke not, nei∣ther be afraide.

IN this text Moses rehearseth, after what sort he had exhorted [ 30] the people to take possession of the Lande that God had promi∣sed them, and by what meanes he would haue incouraged them to it. And that is to the ende that the people shoulde knowe their owne vnthankefulnesse and naughtinesse, in reiecting the benefite that was offered vnto them, and in that they obeyed not God, but were giuen too much to their owne sensualitie. This then which Moses doth heere, [ 40] is as it were an vpbraiding of the Iewes, to y^e end they might knowe howe it was long of none but themselues, that they inioyed Gods blessing no sooner: and that they might afterwarde yeelde themselues more pliable, and not bee so wilfull any more in their owne frowardnesse, but sim∣plie submit themselues to God as soone as they shoulde heare him speake. That is in effect the intent of Moses.

Neuerthelesse hee interlaceth also another [ 50] matter therewithall: which is, that he telleth the people they be so much the lesse to be excused, because they had had experience of Gods good∣nesse, in that he had led them with his mightie hande. For, their passing through the horrible and dreadfull desert, was not without the assi∣stance of a singular and vnaccustomed power of God: where as they notwithstanding forgetting the goodnesse which they had felt, and which they ought to haue borne in minde for euer, did [ 60] grudge at God, and became wilfull, and woulde not goe forwarde when he was redie to haue led them to the end. And that is the cause why Mo∣ses saith expresly, that they had seene. As if hee should say, you wrought euen against your na∣turall senses, when you went not on as your God commaunded you. The reason is this. So long as you suffered your selues to bee gouerned by his hand, and so long as you walked in the way that hee appointed you: did you not euen see with your eyes, that hee made you to ouercome all hardnesse? Was not the wildernes wherthrough you passed, a verie gulfe? And yet notwithstan∣ding you scaped out of it. And how came that to passe, but by the wonderfull working of your God among you? Seeing y^t you heard his voyce, you were sure that hee was come among you. Then said I vnto you, now is there no more for vs to doe, but to inioy the lande which our God hath assigned to vs for our heritage. Goe, let vs fight, our God hath promised it vs, and hee will not disappoint vs. Wee knowe he hath wrought mightily for vs hithe••to, and surely he will goe through with his worke. These and such other things did I alledge vnto you: And yet you fol∣lowed not them as you ought to haue done. Wherefore acknowledge your vnthankefulnesse in that you refused to enter into the inheritance which God had promised to your fathers, and which he hath prepared for you.

Nowe by the way, the first good lesson that wee haue to gather here, is that forasmuch as God hath alredie vttered his goodnes towards vs in making vs to feele his blessing: wee be the more worthy to be blamed, if we rest not whol∣ly vpon him, or put not our whole trust in him to walk on boldly & without douting. For although God had neuer shewed himselfe to our experi∣ence: yet ought wee to giue credite to his holie worde. And it is good reason that we shoulde do him the honour to beleeue whatsoeuer he saith or speaketh vnto vs: for as much as he is faith∣full, and his worde is better tryed than either gold or siluer,* 1.1 as it is saide in the Psalme. And

therefore if there were no more but Gods vtte∣ring of his worde with his owne mouth: it were ynough to condemne the whole world for their disobeying thereof. But seeing that God hath confirmed his sayings by deeds, and hath shew∣ed vs as it were to our eyesight, that his making of his promises vnto vs is not in vaine, but hee hath made vs to feele the thinges with our hands; so as we know in effect what his power is, and that it neuer faileth those which are his: if [ 10] after all this teaching we fall to checking still, and be so stiffenecked as we will not bow to sub∣mit our selues to the thinges that hee speaketh, nor haue any will to obey him: I pray you doth not the greater condemnation lye vppon vs? What is to be done then? Let euery of vs consi∣der aduisedly the good turnes that God hath done him, & let him marke them and note them that hee may beare them in minde. Verie well, God hath succored mee at such a pinch, I haue [ 20] felt his helpe in such a case, I haue beene ayded at his hande, and he hath made me to perceiue his mightie power after such and such fashion. After this manner must wee make rehearsall of Gods benefites, and of his helping of vs all the time of our life. And after as hee hath vttered himselfe vnto vs, so must we be the more confir∣med to trust to his promises, and to rest wholly vpon them. Herew••thall let vs be stablished in in∣uincible constancie, to goe which way soeuer he [ 30] leadeth vs, without feare of any distresse. Why so? For my God which hath neuer forsaken me to this day, will not giue me ouer now. As I haue felt [hertofore] that he giueth strength to those that are his: so am I sure that hee will reach me his hande and succour me still. So then there is no more for me to doe, but to commit my selfe vnto him. I see that this thing & that thing may cumber me, there are a number of temptations which may make me turne heade: but yet foras∣much [ 40] as my God hath succored me hitherto at my neede: I doubt not but hee will doe the like vnto the ende: Thus yee see that the way for vs to eschewe the blame of vnthankefulnesse, is to call Gods benefits oftentimes to our remembe∣rance, thereby to strengthen our selues still in trust that he will neuer faile vs vnto the end. Al∣so this wil serue to make vs ouercome al tempta∣tions: and although the diuel haue neuer so ma∣ny meanes and stoppes to turne vs out of the [ 50] right way, yet shall we not cease to goe on still. And why? Because the hope which wee shall haue gathered, of Gods former making of vs to feele his goodnesse, will serue to carie vs o∣uer all tempestes in the middes of the sea: it will be as a boate, or as a shippe, or as a bridge to conuey vs safely ouer. To bee short, wee shall haue wherewith to strengthen vs conti∣nually, so wee shutte not our eyes at the assi∣stance which God sheweth vs dayly. Thus [ 60] you see generally what wee haue to gather vp∣pon this saying of Moses. A non the matters shall bee layde out more particularly by simili∣tudes.

Let vs proceede to the things that he addeth: namely, that being come to the hill of the A∣morrhytes, he saide, Let vs possesse the Lande which the Lord our God and the God of our fathers promised vs. For it is here before vs, that is to saye, at our commaundement, as hee had said afore, for this is but a repetition of that which were haue seene already. And heere Moses setteth forth the promise that God had made vnto the people, to the end to assure them of the Land in such wise, as they shoulde bee out of all doubt that it was their owne. And why? Because it had bene pro∣mised them of God. Beholde (saith he), thy God ment not to lye to thee, nor to beguile thee: and therefore thou maist assure thy selfe, that the thing which hee hath spoken shalbe performed. Marke that for one point.

Neuerthelesse, to the ende that the people may the better vnderstande, that they were not to possesse the lande for their owne deserts sake: hee telleth them expresly, It is the God of your fa∣thers that doth it. For the Lande was promised as well to Abraham as to Isaac and Iacob, before the Iewes which then liued, were borne. Ther∣by then are they put in minde, that they had not deserued such a benefite at Gods hande, but that it proceeded wholly of his free good∣nesse. And so much the more were they to blame, in that they had felt such experience of Gods goodnesse, and their sinne also was so much the heinouser, in that they acknowledged not the mercie that he had vsed towards them. That then is the effect of Moseses meaning heere.

But we haue to note herewithal, that although the promise was then growen olde, yet had it not lost his force: neither ceased it to liue still, though Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob were deade. True it is that the promise which had beene made, was not spoken to them that were pre∣sently aliue at this time: [they to whome it was spoken] that is to wit, Abraham, and the Pa∣triarks, were all deceased. But Gods promise & his truth die not with men, they haue not the course of a transitoritie and flightfull life as wee haue. Therefore let vs marke well, that where∣as God had promised the lande to Abraham, for him, his heires, and successors that shoulde de∣scende of his race: although Abraham was rot∣ten in the earth, and they that followed him to∣gether with all the Patriarks were consumed to powder and dust: yet the worde that GOD spake continued still, and forewent no whit at al of his force. This (I tell you) is a point which wee ought to marke well. For it is nowe long ago since the Lawe was giuen: so that if we haue an eye to the oldenesse thereof, it will seeme to vs to bee an outworne and deade thing. About a two thousand yeares after that, the Gospel was published to the worlde: and wee see that ma∣nie yeares▪ yea many hundred yeares are pas∣sed since. Then if wee shoulde measure Gods trueth by time: wee might thinke it to bee a thing as good as buried and quite and cleane forgotten.

Moreouer they that first caryed the Gospell abrode, are deade long agoe: but yet must we beare in minde, that Gods trueth is euerlasting,

and that although men be corruptible and passe and vanish away: yet the doctrine of saluation abydeth alwayes vnappayred, so as the force thereof abateth not at all. That is it (say I) which we haue to beare in minde. For although it was in olde time that GOD spake to Moses and the Prophetes, and although it bee nowe long agoe since the Gospel was delyuered to the Apostles: yet must we receiue the doctrine ther∣of nowadayes, as being in full force still. And [ 10] that so much the rather, in respect of this say∣ing of the Apostle,* 1.2 that our Lorde Iesus Christe hath made the way fresh by his bloude. They that liued vnder the Lawe and the Prophetes ought not to haue despised the trueth that had beene manifested to their fathers, though it was done long time before: and yet did not God discouer it so openly to them as hee doth to vs. It is not for nought then that the Apostle saieth, that the way which Iesus Christ made, is freshe. [ 20] And why sayes hee so? His meaning is, that the bloude of our Lorde Iesus Christ cannot drye nor putrifie, but is alwayes freshe in remembe∣rance before God, to the ende that wee shoulde bee assured of his trueth, which hee hath sealed with his death and passion. Seeing then that we haue such a pledge, we ought to be so much the forwarder to receiue Gods truth, forasmuch as wee perceiue that the force and vertue thereof dureth for euer. [ 30]

Nowe must wee marke further howe Moses saieth heere, Thy God hath promised thee the lande, It is before thee, possesse it. By these wordes he be∣tokeneth, that wee must rest wholely vppon that which God saith, and not stande scanning after our owne fancies. For if men content not themselues with the thinges that God speaketh to them: where shall they seeke for greater cer∣teintie? Or when they haue sought it, where shall they finde it? But it is an offering of too [ 40] greate wrong to our GOD, when wee bee not satisfied with his vttering of his will, and with his warranting of the same vnto vs. For if therevppon wee bee still wauering and doubt∣full: what else is such vnbeliefe, but a replying against Gods trueth as though hee were not faithful, or as though he went about to abuse vs by alluring vs with vaine hope? So then let vs marke well, that all our life long wee must con∣tent our selues with Gods worde, and when we [ 50] haue it wee must followe it without seeking any further.

For looke howe many doubtes and mistrustes wee conceiue, so many ouerthwart nippes and priuie vpbraydings doe wee giue vnto GOD, as who shoulde say there were no certaintie in his saying. But wee knowe that nothing is more pe∣culiar to him than his trueth. And so (as much as in vs lyeth) wee make it a thing of nothing. Therefore it is a verie profitable warning when [ 60] hee saieth, The Lorde thy God hath promised thee the Lande. For hee speaketh still in generall, meaning that we must all our life long hold this rule of sticking simply to the word of God. A non the things shalbe laide foorth particularly, as I saide afore.

But let vs marke well, that Moses hauing al∣ledged Gods promise, and hauing saide that the Lande was at the peoples commaunde∣ment, because GOD ment not to fayle in the perfourmance of the thing that hee had once promised: addeth afterwarde, Enter into it and take possession of it. Wherein hee sheweth vs that although GOD performe in vs al that hee hath saide: yet must not wee on our side bee idle, nor bee as blockes of wood, but wee must offer our selues to his seruice. For albeit that wee cannot stirre one finger to doe wel: yet hath GOD made vs instrumentes whereby hee will worke.

Therefore wee must goe forwarde when hee commaundeth vs, and wee must indeuer to ap∣ply all our members and wits to obey him. True it is (as I saide) that men are vtterly vnprofita∣ble, yea and that their will goeth cleane backe from that which God commaundeth: but yet for all that, God ceaseth not to giue vs willing∣nesse, and when hee hath giuen vs willing∣nesse, hee giueth vs also performance, as saint Paul auoucheth to the Philippians:* 1.3 and there∣withall hee maketh vs to doe it with feare and carefulnesse. When as Saint Paul saith, Doe ye, and also, It is God that doeth: those two thinges seeme to bee contraries: but they bee not. For Gods working is in such wise, as hee imputeth to himselfe the thinges that hee doth in vs: and yet for all that, hee will not haue vs to bee sloth∣full and to fall a sleepe, but that euerye of vs should indeuour himselfe. Let vs learne then that whensoeuer God promiseth vs any thing, it is his office to accomplishe the whole.

Neuerthelesse he will haue vs to take paynes and to straine our selues, yea euen vs which are vtterly vnprofitable. And hauing giuen vs his power, hee will haue vs indeuour to make the thing auailable which he hath bestowed vppon vs, and to make it to bee profitable. That then is the thing which we haue to note here.

Howbeit, there withall there is also the con∣clusion which Moses maketh: namely when as hee saith, Feare not, bee not dismayed. And here∣by hee doth vs to vnderstande, that although we bee armed and fenced with Gods promises, so as wee ought to bee sufficiently resolued, that hee will guide vs vnto the ende: yet shall wee haue manie occasions to make vs grudge and re∣pyne, so as we might swarue aside from the right way, or vtterly forsake it, if we had not constan∣cie to ouercome all the stoppes and lettes that the diuell thrusteth in our wayes: for of nature we be fearefull. True it is that in many things we be but too hardie. When any fond thing is to be attempted foolishly: in that case men neede not to be hartened, for they be but too bold already, to attempt this and that, & to mount aboue the cloudes as thee say. But when GOD shoulde be followed whithersoeuer hee calleth vs: our eyes runne heere and there, vp and downe, wee bee at our wittes ende, yea and if a flye doe but whiske before our eyes or a strawe stirre at our feete: by and by wee are at a stoppe. Nowe seeing wee haue this vice in our nature, let

vs determine to fight on al sides against this fōd fearefulnesse, to the ende wee bee not helde backe from following God whithersoeuer hee commaundeth vs, but that wee may ouercome all the temptations of Satan, though he bee ne∣uer so wylie in forging and framing of innume∣rable occasions in that behalfe, to turne vs away from our calling. And therefore let vs marke this warning giuen to the Iewes by Moses. For it is a warning to vs as well as it was to them, [ 10] that it is vnpossible for vs to come thither as god calleth vs, if wee ouercome not this feareful∣nesse and dismayednesse, that is to say, if wee fight not against all the incumberances that sa∣than can set before our eyes to make vs afraide. Therefore it standeth vs on hande to bee ar∣med with strength from aboue. Thus you see howe wee ought to apply this streyne to our in∣struction.

Nowe the thinges will bee the plainer and [ 20] better vnderstoode, if we make a similitude be∣tweene the lande that was promised to the chil∣dren of Israel, and the kingdome of God where∣unto wee bee called. For in good sooth, the land of Chanaan was but as a figure & earnest-penny of the kingdome of heauen. Had the aun∣cient fathers setled their mindes vppon the lande which they sawe: they had had a verie poore rest and weake stay, for in verie deede they inioyed it not of all their life, they did but [ 30] onely trauell through it as straungers and way∣farers.* 1.4 Wee see that Abraham had not one foote of it in possession, sauing that hee pur∣chased a little peece to burie his wife in, no hee had not so much as water to drinke. Iacob was banished out of it a great parte of his life. Isaac and all the Patriarks had but their walke in it, they neuer possessed one foote of the land which God had giuen for an heritage to them and their issue. Wee must needes conclude then [ 40] that the auncient fathers did not passe through this visible land, and that their acknowledging of it for their inheritance was after such a sorte, as they tended alwayes towardes heauen, and that was the marke which they aimed at. Seeing it is so, wee must make a similitude betweene this lande, and the inheritance wherunto GOD calleth vs, as it hath beene purchased for vs by our Lorde Iesus Christ.

Whereas hee saith That God made the people [ 50] to passe through a horrible and dreadfull wildernesse: the same belongeth vnto vs also, if wee consider in what state God founde vs, and whence hee hath drawen vs. For are wee not all damned and forlorne by nature? Hath not the diuell a tyrannous dominion ouer vs, from whence no man can deliuer himselfe by his owne power? Euen so, if wee consider where GOD seeketh vs when hee calleth vs to him: [wee shall finde, that] the wildernesse wherethrough the Iewes [ 60] passed is not so dreadefull and terrible, as is the damnation wherein wee were. For wee bee in bondage of sinne, wee bee vnder the thraldome of death, satan reigneth ouer vs, and is king and prince of the whole worlde. See∣ing then that GOD riddeth vs out of so mise∣rable slauerie, and setteth vs at libertie by his holy spirite: is it not all one as if hee shoulde make vs way through the gulfes of hell? Yes: for wee bee there in verie deede, and wee can∣not come at Iesus Christ, except we be brought out of the dungeons of death. Nowe then, if there were no more but this, that God hath ridde vs from the curse which was brought vp∣pon vs by Adam, and wherein wee are all of vs fast shut and locked vp vntill hee haue pitie vp∣pon vs: the experience of that one point ought to make vs perceiue his goodnesse. And if there were no more but that: it ought to giue vs cou∣rage to followe him, and to giue our selues whol∣ly vnto him. For if wee bee slouthful, there is no excuse for vs, because his goodnesse is sufficient∣ly warranted vnto vs, and it is long of none but our selues that wee bee not fully resolued and perswaded that hee will goe through with the thing that hee hath begunne. And that it is so, if euerie of vs bethought himselfe well, wee shoulde finde that God by infinite wayes made vs to ouercome the thinges that seemed vn∣possible. But what? To set foorth our owne va∣liant deedes, wee can well ynough alledge this and that, and our memorie is but too good. And though it bee but a thing of nothing that wee haue done, yet wee can skill to magnifie it and to make great reportes of it. Loe howe men can bee quicke ynough to remember all that euer they haue done in their life, that may set foorth their owne glorie: but in the meane whyle wee doe wickedly forget the benefites of GOD. And yet worketh hee in such wise to∣wardes vs, as ought to quicken vs vp to acknow∣ledge his goodnesse, or else on the contrarie parte wee doe but thrust all vnder foote. Hee shall haue deliuered vs from manie after delays, and hee shall haue made vs to haue passed ma∣nie greate lettes, so as wee may haue thought that we had beene vtte••ly shut out and fordone, and hee shall haue reached vs his hand: and yet for all that, wee neuer thinke of it againe. Nowe then, where as wee see men to bee rechlesse and slothfull in following GOD, it is because they forget his benefites which they haue had proofe of, and become like the Iewes. And there∣fore it behoueth vs all to acknowledge our fault in this behalfe, and to mourne before God, and to seeke redresse of it.

Thus yee see howe wee ought to put this text in vre by similitude: that is to wit, when the pro∣mises of the Gospell are set forth to bring vs to the kingdome of heauen: let vs consider where∣at God hath begunne in vs, by what meanes he hath brought vs to him, and howe hee hath strengthened vs, to the intent to bring vs out of the damnation, whereof wee are founde worthy by too too apparant conuiction. Nowe therefore if wee thinke there vpon, and consider thus with our selues, beholde, our God hath made vs pa••∣takers of his power, wee haue had too apparant experience therof, he hath deliuered vs out of y^e gulfe of hel, he hath ridde vs out of the bonds of the diuell and of death: let vs not doubt but hee will alwayes continue like himselfe hereafter,

and hold out to the end.

Furthermore let vs also marke well this say∣ing in this text: The God of thy fathers hath pro∣mised thee the Lande. Beholde therefore, it is at thy commaundement, enter into it and take possession of it. The meaning is that wee shoulde yeelde so much honour to Gods truth, as to bee fully and throughly resolued in our selues, that inas∣much as hee hath adopted vs to his children, our inheritance is certaine and infallible in hea∣uen. [ 10] For to what purpose is the Gospell prea∣ched vnto vs, but to make vs knowe that GOD is our father, and that wee being become his children by his free adopting of vs, shoulde bee assured that the kingdome of heauen belongeth vnto vs?* 1.5 And in verie deede for the same cause is the Gospell called the kingdome of heauen, forasmuch as it openeth the gate vnto vs, to the ende that wee nowadayes shoulde not doubte but that GOD auoweth vs to bee his heires. [ 20] But wee must haue a further consideration of the inheritance that God giueth vs, than of all the benefites that Moses speakes of. For it stoode the Iewes on hande to haue helde themselues still to the thing that had beene spoken to Abra∣ham, Isaac, & Iacob. But now is the Gospel ano∣ther warrant vnto vs. For God is called the fa∣ther, not onely of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, but also of our Lord Iesus Christ, who is our head in such wise, that being once vnyted vnto him, we [ 30] become partakers of his own substance and life, and [therefore] we must not doubt but that the inheritance of the kingdom of heauē belongeth vnto vs. Nowe then, like as Moses said vnto the Iewes, The God of your fathers: so must this voyce sounde in our eares, The GOD and father of our Lorde Iesus Christ, hath not onely promi∣sed vs the kingdome of heauen, but also giuen vs wherewith to assure our selues the better of it. For we haue the performance & effect there∣of, [ 40] in that our Lord Iesus Christ suffered death, to recouer vs the inheritance, whereof wee were bereft and dispossessed in the person of our father Adam. Nowe then wee see after what sort we ought to looke vpon this doctrine: that is to wit, that although wee bee vnhappie wretches, although wee deserue to bee reie∣cted of our GOD, although there bee nothing but cursednesse in vs, and although that by na∣ture wee bee plunged in the gulfe of hell: yet [ 50] notwithstanding, seeing that God hath adop∣ted vs in our Lorde Iesus Christ, and made vs all one with him by faith: wee neede not doubt but we be heires of the kingdom of heauen. And why? For GOD cannot lye, and forasmuch as hee is vnchaungeable, we haue sufficient warrant that wee shall not bee disappointed by putting our trust in him. Againe, wee haue our Lorde Iesus Christe, who is the mediatour be∣tweene God and men, and hee hath not onely [ 60] taken solemne recognisances as a publike no∣tarie: but also accomplished the thinges that were promised on the behalfe of GOD his fa∣ther. He hath signed the euidence in such wise with his owne bloude, as wee see he hath pay∣ed that which hee owed not, and that which he was not to bee charged withall. So then let vs haue this stedfast assurednesse with vs, that GOD auoweth vs for his children, and con∣sequently that wee bee heires of eternall life. Howbeit, let vs alwayes take that assurednesse out of the Gospell, accordingly as we see that Moses leadeth the Iewes thither.

True it is that wee must not forget the hea∣uenly power that was vttered euerie where in the rysing againe of our Lorde Iesus Christe. But howe might we applie such a benefite to our selues, or how could we inioy it, if it were not by faith? Therefore like as our Lorde Iesus Christ hath purchaced vs the kingdome of heauen by his death and passion: so is it his will that com∣fort shoulde bee giuen vs nowadayes by his Go∣spell, where hee witnesseth vnto vs that all that euer hee did was for our sakes and for our wel∣fare: so that hauing that once, and being assured thereof, we may inioy the benefite that was pur∣chased for vs.

But yet in the meane while, wee must doe so much honour to the Gospell, as to beholde that thing by faith, which is hidden from our eyes. It is saide that the Lande is at thy com∣mandement. Nowe if wee beleeue our senses, wee cannot perceiue that the kingdome of heauen is ours, or in our hande: it will seeme to bee too farre off from vs, and that wee had neede of wings to flie aboue the skyes. But what? Wee must so honour Gods worde (as I saide) as wee must not doubt but that the thing which is spoken there, is possible to be done, al∣though wee conceiue not howe by our fleshly vnderstanding: faith must surmount all capaci∣tie of man. And if wee finde any hardnesse therein, let vs fight against our selues, and day∣ly indeuour to recouer vnto God. For the way whereby hee will be glorified at our hands, is (as I saide at the beginning) that if there were no more but his bare worde, yet ought the same to contēt and suffice vs. But seeing he hath vouch∣safed to deliuer vs this pledge which he hath gi∣uen vs in the death and passion of our Lorde Ie∣sus Christ: we shalbe the lesse excusable, if wee haue not a full and whole contentation. Seeing then that we haue such an assurance of the king∣dome of heauen, let vs go and take possession of the lande. For (as I said afore) God will not haue vs idle.

True it is, that hee sheweth vs by the holy scripture, that there is not one drop of power in vs that tendeth vnto good, but that wee be wholly giuen to euill. And yet notwithstanding it is his will also that when he hath put his grati∣ous gifts into vs, we shoulde make them auayla∣ble, without chalenging any thing at all to our selues. For in this case it is not for vs to glorie in our selues, nor to trust in our owne legges, according wherevnto it is saide in the Psalme to such as are giuen to the worlde,* 1.6 that they must not trust in their owne strength, nor in the strength of their horses. If this bee saide of the thinges that perteine to this flight∣full life: what is to bee saide of the spirituall life which is much more excellent? So then

w^tout attributing any thing to our selues, let vs in∣deuour neuerthelesse seeing that God comman∣deth vs, and let vs goe on to enter into the pos∣session of the spirituall kingdome whereunto he calleth vs. And that is the cause why I said that wee must euermore come backe to our Lorde Iesus Christ, and there seeke y^e thing that is wan∣ting in our selues. For wee knowe that his suffering of his death and passion, was to exalt vs aboue the heauens: and although wee doe [ 10] but creepe vppon the earth, or rather bee so loppeheauie that wee sinke still downeward, to plundge our selues in the bottomlesse gulfes: yet will our Lorde Iesus lift vs vp, according as he himself was exalted, to the same end and intent, as is declared in the third Chapter of the Gos∣pel of S. Iohn.* 1.7

Furthermore, to the ende wee may bee dis∣charged of all selftrust, let vs looke vppon the notable example that was giuen vs at the death [ 20] of our Lorde Iesus Christ. For if wee will goe the right way to heauen, wee must followe the poore theefe to whom he saide, This day shalt thou bee with mee in Paradise. Howe can wee bee sure that GOD will bring vs to the king∣dome of heauen, seeing that wee seeke hell, and all our affections, all our thoughtes, all our desires, all our powers, and all our workes, tend wholly thither, euen to separate vs from God, and to alienate vs from his kingdome, and to [ 30] driue vs away from life and saluation? How may wee (say I) be sure that God will take vs vppe into his heauenly kingdome? We must haue re∣course to this word that was spoken to the poore theefe: This day shalt thou be with me in Para∣dise. Seeing it is so that our Lord died, & that he entred into such gulfes of sorrowe, that he was pinched so farre as to abide the tormentes that were due vnto vs, and not only abode y^e reproch and griefe of bodily death, but also felt y^e Iustice [ 40] of God, and became as a wretched offender to beare all the sinnes of the world: let vs not doubt but he hath deliuered vs from the paines & an∣guish which wee should haue felt, and will lifte vs vp to himselfe, and therefore nowe let vs not bee afraide of death. But first of all it behoueth vs to followe the poore theefe. What had he in him to bring him to the kingdome of hea∣uen? He was fastened to a crosse, he had his armes and legges broken, he seemed to bee but [ 50] a wretched carkasse, there was nothing but re∣proche in him. Thus then you see howe he was an owgly myrrour to looke vpon: and yet ne∣uerthelesse, Iesus Christe promiseth him to make him his partaker and companion of his heauenly glorie. And what had hee beene all the time of his lyfe? So lewde and wicked both before God and man, that he was worse than condemned and accursed. Will we then be the heires of God? Wee must follow this theefe [ 60] who had the preheminence to goe before vs in∣to the heritage of heauen. And how [must wee follow him?] We must acknowledge y^t naturally there is nothing in vs but vtter wickednesse, and that GOD might iustly holde vs accursed. Al∣so wee must thinke our selues to bee as folke that haue their armes and legges broken, yea and as men vtterly dismembred, so as we haue not one whit of strength in vs, at leastwise as in respect of our selues. And yet for all that therewithall we must not doubt but that God accepteth vs to him, when wee linke in with our Lorde Iesus Christ by right faith and pure affection, acknow∣ledging him to be our king, and hauing our eyes fastened vpon the inuisible kingdome, as I saide afore. For if the wretched theefe which sawe death before his eyes, which was in as great tor∣mentes as was possible, and sawe himselfe as it were behated of all the world, did put his trust in Iesus Christe: what ought wee to doe? A∣gaine, in what state was our Lord Iesus Christ at the same time? He hung vpon a crosse full of reproche and shame, all men did spit at him, all men did spite him. And yet, notwithstanding that reprochfull state, the poore wretch ceassed not to behold life in death, and to say, Lorde re∣member me when thou commest into thy king∣dome. But now wee knowe that Iesus Christ is exalted to the right hand of GOD his father, and hath souereigne power ouer all creatures: so that if wee yeeld him not his due honour now that he is entered into his glorie, wee shall haue no excuse at all. True it is that he was once hanged vpon a gibbet ful of reproch and shame: but yet wee see therewithall that the same was turned into glorie and triumph, so as the victo∣rie which he obteined was more royall than all the triumphes of all the Princes in the worlde. Seeing then that wee doe see that Iesus Christ hath ridde away all the slaunder of his crosse by the power of his resurrection: ought wee not at leastwise to looke vp to the kingdome where he dwelleth, whereunto he calleth vs, and which he hath purchased so dearely? Thus you see after what maner wee must put in vre this text of the possessing of the land which he hath promised vs and purchased for us.

Besides this, when wee heare this saying, that it is at our commaundement: let vs vnderstand that it were a disanulling of the death and passi∣on of our Lord Iesus Christ, if wee should not bee fully resolued of this inheritaunce, accor∣ding also as Saint Paule sheweth.* 1.8 If thou say, who is he that shall goe downe into the deepe, it is all one as if thou shouldest fetche vp Christ againe from death. Then if wee imagine with our selues, alas wee bee wretched crea∣tures, there is nothing but vtter weakenesse in vs, euill doeth so ouermaister that wee wote not what to do, the diuell tormenteth vs, on the one side, and on the other side wee bee so fraile as is pitifull to see, and wee bee in trouble and vn∣quietnesse: if wee stande herevpon as quite out of heart and discouraged: Saint Paule sayeth it is all one as if we beleeued not that Iesus Christ dyed for vs. For why? The death and Passi∣on that he suffered are no trifling thing, but a thing of verie great price. Nowe then wee must take it to bee of power as it is, so that although we see our selues in the mids of bottomlesse pits, yea & that very often and commonly, insomuch that when wee bee out of one gulfe, by and by

wee enter into another, and therewithall Satan hath such power against vs and wee on the other side are so feeble, that we can scarcely stirre one finger: yet let vs not forbeare to assure our selues, that the inheritaunce belongeth to vs still: for that is the honour which wee must yeeld to our Lord Iesus Christ. But therewithall let vs go foreward still. After what maner? Let vs call to minde howe the Apostle saieth, that like as our Lord Iesus Christ went out of the Citie as reie∣cted [ 10] out of the companie of men:* 1.9 so we must not disdaine to become like him, and to beare the shame and reproche of his crosse: for it becom∣meth the members to be fashioned like to their body. And therefore let vs determine to goe af∣ter him, For those are the true markes whereby he knoweth vs to bee his. And for performance thereof, let vs vnderstand that wee must forsake the world in general, yea and our selues too. For the matter standeth not alonely vpon going out [ 20] of the world. True it is that so long as it plea∣seth God to haue vs lodge here, here wee must abide: but yet howsoeuer we fare, wee must euer haue one foote vp, readie to goe hence whenso∣ever it shall please God to take vs to him: so that if wee will be heires of the heauenly kingdome, wee must be but pilgrims and straungers in this world. Yea and (which more is) wee must go out of our selues, that is to say, we must not leane to our owne will and wit, but wee must ridde our [ 30] selues of all selfweening, and couet nothing but to goe vnto God. And if the world shake vs off and make a mocking stocke of vs, (as we see now adayes how the poore Christians are lightly e∣steemed, so that they bee taken to bee as the of∣scouring of the world, or rather as myre & dung, as saieth S. Paul) I say, if wee bee so reiected of the whole world:* 1.10 let vs beare it patiently. For why? Iesus Christ went out of the Citie Ierusa∣lem, bearing the reproch and curse of the whole [ 40] world vpon him: and therefore let vs bee readie to bee fashioned like vnto him. Also therewithal let vs determine to separate our selues from all the vncleannesse that reigneth euerie where now adayes in the world. And forasmuch as we can not possesse the heauenly heritage, vnlesse wee ouercome this doubting and fearefulnesse which plucke vs backe: insomuch that if our mindes runne still vpon our owne feeblenesse▪ truely wee shall not neede any other thing to shake vs downe: whereas on the other side if we haue our eye vppon our captaine Iesus Christ, who alonely hath vanquished all feare, yea and euen death, and the diuell, & all his power: then may wee boldly goe on still, to ouercome all lets that may hinder vs or turne vs aside from fol∣lowing God whithersoeuer he calleth vs: Let vs shut our eyes against all that euer may turne vs out of the right way, and let vs not doubt but that God wil alwayes be our guide, and worke in such wise, as he will outgoe all our desires, yea and all the hope that we can conceiue of him.

Nowe therefore let vs kneele downe in the presence of our good God with acknowledge∣ment of our sinnes, praying him to make vs so to feele them, that being cast down in our selues, wee may resort wholly vnto him, an ac∣knowledging our selues to bee wretched offen∣ders that haue deserued his wrath and venge∣ance, (yea euen w^tout euer being able to recouer out of endlesse death and cursednes) flee for re∣fuge to the redemption that is purchased for vs by the bloudshed of his onely sonne. And that seeing our Lord Iesus Christ hath payed all our debtes, to discharge vs of them, and to beare the condemnation that was due vnto vs, and foras∣much as he offereth vs daily the fruite and effect of his death and passion: we may not doubt but that he will accomplish the thing that he hath begunne in vs, and by his holy spirit make the power of his resurrection auaileable in vs, to the end that we may leade a new life, and bee stabli∣shed in him more & more, till we be quite rid of all the corruptions of our flesh, to bee taken vp into his kingdome. That it may please him to graunt this grace, not onely, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 12.7.
• * 1.2

  Heb. 10.20.
• * 1.3

  Phil. 2.13.
• * 1.4

  ••eb. 11.9.••13.
• * 1.5

  Mat. 13.24. and 31.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 33.16 and 17.
• * 1.7

  Iohn. 3.14.
• * 1.8

  Rom. 10.7.
• * 1.9

  Heb. 13.12.
• * 1.10

  1. Cor. 4.13.