Sermons upon Deuteronomy

True it is that they yield some outward service unto God: but all that ever they do is not worth a pin, insomuch that God rejects even their keeping of the Law: for we must be led by love and by a frank and free goodwill, as I said afore. And how may that be done? Even by knowing God to be our father and Saviour, as I alleged out of the text of malachi,¹ and as is yet better expressed in this verse of the psalm, that we must first know Gods mercy, and rest thereupon, or else we can never fear him, and come near him to serve him. That is the true & plain meaning of this text, and so must we apply it.

True it is that they yeelde some outward seruice vnto God: but all that euer they doe is not woorth a pin, insomuch that God reiectes euen their keeping of the Lawe: for wee must be led by loue and by a franke and free goodwill, as I sayd afore. And how may that bee done? Euen by knowing God to be our father and Sauiour, as I alledged out of the text of malachie,¹ and as is yet better expressed in this verse of the psalme, that wee must first know Gods mercy, and rest thereupon, or else wee can neuer feare him, and come neere him to serue him. That is the true & plaine meaning of this text, and so must wee apply it.

1. 1Psal. 130.7. & 131.24.

Moses having spoken after that fashion, addeth now, that the Law must be so dear unto us, as to take it for our chief treasure. And forasmuch as we be too much subject to the seeking of the corruptible things of this world, and forget God out of hand, and withdraw our selves too far from him: he saith, that men must have Gods law continually in their sight, and make as it were a Headroll thereof, as if a woman were attired after the ancient manner, with borders on her head, bracelets on her arms: or as if a man should make borders of them about his house, or engravers upon the doors of his house, so as Gods glory might be every where. And whereas he speaketh here of frontlets and bracelets, and of painting and engraving of Gods law upon door posts: it is to show that whereas men give themselves to vain glory in decking and attiring of themselves, and the same turneth them away from God: they must make all their deckings of Gods Law: that must be their Jewels. Like as if a man or a woman have a costly Jewell upon their finger, and take pleasure therein: in stead thereof they should have Gods Law continually before their eyes, so as a man should no sooner look upon himself, no though it were but upon his nails, but it should come to his mind to think, Thou hast a maker who fashioned thee, and whose will it is that thou shouldest serve him by yielding thy self wholly to his obedience. Although thou be a silly unprofitable creature: yet will thy God be glorified in thee. Thus ye see how we must make all our deckings of Gods Law. Again, in stead of the beautifying of houses, with things of goodly show and furniture, to the end it may be said, this is the house of some man of estimation: the Law of God must be written upon it. Now we see what the meaning of Moses was.