Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now followeth an exhortation that the people should discharge themselves in doing the Law. As if he should say, that the giving thereof was not to the end that men should but only confess that all that is contained therein is good, just and rightful: but also that men should thereby show whether they were obedient to God or no. And in that respect he saith, to the end that thou shouldest fear the Lord thy God, and keep his commandments and statutes. By this word Fear he doth us to wit, that God in giving forth his Law, meant to try what we be, and whether we be willing to serve him or no. For although we could do all his commandments in such sort as no fault could be found in us to the worldward, if in the mean while the fear of God be not rooted in our hearts, to yield him such reverence as to be willing to be his: all our life shall be but a fond pomp: for we must not think that God is satisfied with outward appearances. How muchsoever they be commended of men,¹ they be but smoke before him. Then if we mind to keep his Law duly, and to have our life acceptable unto him: we must begin at this point of yielding him such reverence, as to be desirous to be under his hand and government, and to do him homage as to our sovereign Lord & to give over our selves to him as to our maker, and to honour him as our father. If we be thus minded, it is the beginning of all the Law and of all righteousness. And that is the cause why it is said that the true wisdom is to fear God.² And if we will know whether we have profited in gods law or no: we must always sift & search our selves whether we have such desire & zeal that God should be honoured & glorified by us. For if there be that fear in our hearts, the fruits thereof will show themselves both in our feet and in our hands, that is to say in all our members, according to the rule which he hath set down in publishing his law. And as for them that boast of the fear of God, & nevertheless behave themselves lewdly in their conversation: they belie themselves with their own mouths, & bewray that they be shameless in bragging so of the fear of God. Now then we see here a text which is well worthy to be marked:

Nowe followeth an exhortation that the people should discharge themselues in doing the Lawe. As if hee should saie, that the giuing thereof was not to the ende that men shoulde but onely confesse that all that is conteined therein is good, iust and rightfull: but also that men shoulde thereby shew whether they were obedient to God or no. And in that respect he saith, to the ende that thou shouldest feare the Lorde thy God, and keepe his commaundements and statutes. By this word Feare he doth vs to wit, that God in giuing forth his Law, ment to trie what we be, and whether we be willing to serue him or no. For although we coulde doe all his commaundements in such sort as no fault could be found in vs to the worldward, if in the meane whyle the feare of God be not rooted in our hearts, to yeelde him such reuerence as to be willing to be his: all our life shalbe but a fond pompe: for wee must not thinke that God is satisfied with outward apparances. How muchsoeuer they be commended of men,