Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And as I said afore, let us think well upon the ratification that was given thereof, which ought to be enough to make us to understand, that the law was brought from God himself, and that the Gospel also was warranted and ratified from heaven, when God pronounced with his own mouth that he would have us to hearken to his son. That is the effect of the things which we have to remember upon this text. And therefore let us follow the example of those which are spoken of here, and let us not covet that God should come down from heaven to feed our humours: but let it suffice us that he vouchsafeth to communicate his word unto us.

And as I sayd afore, let vs thinke well vpon the ratification that was giuen thereof, which ought to bee enough to make vs to vnderstand, that the lawe was brought from God himselfe, and that the Gospell also was warranted and ratified from heauen, when God pronounced with his owne mouth that he would haue vs to hearken to his sonne. That is the effect of the thinges which wee haue to remember vppon this text. And therefore let vs followe the example of those which are spoken of here, and let vs not couet that God should come down frō heauen to feede our humors: but let it suffice vs yt he voutsafeth to cōmunicate his word vnto vs.

But it should seem at the first sight, that here were some contrariety. For first the people say, This day have we seen how God speaketh with men, and that they continue alive still: and afterward they say again: we dye if God speak to us. For by all likelihood, if we have once found by experience that God speaketh to us without destroying of us: it ought to embolden us. And why? For seeing we remain alive still after we have heard the voice of God once: why should we not do so still after twice or thrice, as well as after once? And here the people say, We have heard the voice of God: but if he speak to us again, we dye for it, we be undone, we be forlorn. It seemeth that they trust not to Gods goodness, but rather that they be unthankful, in that they acknowledge not the benefit which God did for them in letting them continue in their strength. But we must mark how the people show here, that they will not try God any further, and that it is enough for them to have had that one experience, that the law was not a thing invented by man, but that God was the author thereof. Therefore it must be taken as if they had said thus: This day have we seen that God hath spoken to men, and they remain still alive: that is enough for us: we intend not to abuse Gods patience in this case: he hath spared us to day, but we must not look that he should do so ever: he hath given us a trial for this once, & that was because of the lewdness & hardness of our hearts. For were we worthy to have him appear to us in his glory? No: but he knew that we would never be fully tamed & subdued to his obedience, except he had come in his visible glory, & made us so afraid as we had bin at our wits end. Therefore if he had not won us so by force, he knew well that we would have bin always as wild beasts. But seeing it hath pleased him to pardon the fault that we have committed, & to bear with us this time: we will not fall to it again: for it were overmuch: it were a scorning of his patience. So then, this one record sufficeth us, both for our own lives and for the lives of our children, & so forth for ever to the worlds end, that they which come after us may know that it is not for us to draw God out of heaven any more, as though he ought to be but our mate. Thus ye see how these two sayings agree very well.