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But did not my words and my statutes, which I cōmanded by my seruants the Prophets, take hold of your fathers? And they re∣turned and sayd, As the Lord of hosts hath determined to doe vn∣to vs, according vnto our owne wayes, and according to our works, so hath he dealt with vs.
THis is an answer vnto the former interrogation, the which con∣taineth two things. One, the falling out of the matter. The other,
the confession of the fathers themselues in the end, and their giuing testimonie or witnesse both of the trueth of the word of God: and also of the iustice of God in punishing of them. And it was needfull that both these poynts should bee set downe, as the thing was, not only to moue the Iewes their sonnes, but also, that all men should here haue a most certaine rule of the efficacie or power and force of the word of God either fearing vs, or els comforting of vs. This therefore was the issue or falling out of the matter, namely, that both the words of God deliuered by the Prophets, and also his iudgement ordained and appoynted against the sinnes of men ap∣peared in the ende, euen in those verie selfe same persons, against whom it was threatned. Therefore it (tooke hold vpon them.) And the confession of their Fathers and Elders was most notable and excellent, both to admonish their posteritie of the vnremoueable trueth of the word of God, and also to shewe, that God is iust both in the threatning, and also in the executing of his iudgements. For they cōfessed, both that the things which God had foretold should come to passe, and also the things the which he had determined or thought, euen the same in the end did iustly fall out and come to passe vnto them. For they acknowledged that they were punished for their sinnes: but then at length did they acknowledge it after that they returned vnto God with earnest repentance of minde. So in the Lamentations of Ieremie cap 1. ver. 18. after that Ierusalem hath entred into the consideration of her sinnes, and been sorie for the same, she maketh this confession: The Lord is righteous: for I haue rebelled against his commandement: heare, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorowe. Againe, cap. 2. ver. 17. The Lord hath done that which he had purposed: he hath fulfilled his word that he had deter∣mined of olde time: he hath throwne downe, and not spared: he hath caused thine enemie to reioyce ouer thee, and set vp the horne of thine aduersaries. So Psal. 106. ver. 6. We haue sinned with our fathers: we haue committed iniquitie, and done wickedly. See to this purpose Dan. 9. And this is the end of the first Sermon of the Prophet.
An answer vn∣to the former ••nterrogation.
A certaine rule of the efficacie of the word of God.