The first part of the Christian instruction, and general so[m]me of the doctrine, contained…The firste parte of the Christian instruction, and generall so[m]me of the doctrine, conteyned…

¶ Of the causes for the which God did allow and confirm with such authority the ministry of Moses: and how hard it is to bring men under those laws, by the which mens lives ought to be governed and directed.

¶ Of the causes for the vvhich God did allovve and confirme vvyth such authoritie the ministery of Moyses: and hovv hard it is to bring men vnder those lavves, by the vvhich mens liues ought to be gouerned and directed.

D. Seeing then it is so, and that God would even at once give such testimony of his heavenly doctrine, and of the ministry of all the Ministers by whom he would have it declared to men: it is no marvel if his good pleasure were once to show him self in such majesty, unto such a company, to the end that no man might justly afterward take occasion to doubt of that doctrine of God, and to reproach Moses, as if he had framed these laws of his own head, which he had brought to the people of Israel, and that he should have made them believe that he had received them of God, as many Heathen lawmakers have made theirs to be believed, and as many false Prophets have done of their dreams and false doctrine. For they did well know, that men were of such nature, that they would not willingly become subject, but only unto him whom they thought to be greater then them selves: wherefore hardly will a man make him self subject to a man, to live according to his will and pleasure, if he be not thereunto enforced. If it be done but by constraint, it is but during the time that he is ⟨p. 159⟩the weakest. For as soon as he can find any occasion to cast that yoke from him, he will not miss to do it with all his power. T. We see daily experience sufficiently of this. For how can one submit himself willingly unto a man, whom he esteemeth to be his fellow, and equal to himself, and not his master and superior, when he will not willingly submit himself to God his Creator, his Master, his Lord and Sovereign Prince, ne yet unto his laws? D. Thou mayest have a judgement by that: but albeit that man will not willingly yield himself subject, neither to God, ne yet to men: Yet notwithstanding if he must needs have a Lord, and to live according to the will and mind of an other, and not of himself: yet is his hart so cruel and stubborn, that he thinketh it greater dishonour to submit himself to such as he is himself, then to his superior, and to man, then to God. On the other side, whatsoever darkness is fallen into the understanding of man, by mean of sin, yet for all that there remaineth a certain impression of the knowledge of God, in the hart of man, which compelleth them all to acknowledge that there is a sovereign and divine power, unto the which it must needs be that every man be subject, will he, nil he, and that this sovereign power, is God eternal.