Sermons upon Deuteronomy

O, those were holy persons, for they had Gods law written in great letters, whereas the common people had it in small. They knew the law much better, and therefore was God much magnified in them. Nay, contrariwise, such vain bragging was a flat mocking of God: but yet it was the fashion of all men, as I have declared already. And by this which befell the Jews, let us take understanding and instruction, that the same must serve §60us to behold that we be so froward, that whereas God laboureth to draw us familiarly unto him, we despise it, and in stead of profiting our selves by the doctrine that is set before us, we turn it unto laughter, we unhallow it like Churchrobbers, and we turn quite and clean contrary to his meaning, so as it had bin better for us never to have heard one word of his mouth. Thus ye see what we have to mark.

O, those were holy persons, for they had Gods lawe written in great letters, whereas the common people had it in small. They knew the lawe much better, and therefore was God much magnifyed in them. Nay, contrariwise, such vaine bragging was a flatte mocking of God: but yet it was the fashion of all men, as I haue declared already. And by this which befell the Iewes, let vs take vnderstanding and instruction, that the same must serue §60vs to behold that we bee so froward, that whereas God laboreth to drawe vs familiarly vnto him, we despise it, and in stead of profiting our selues by the doctrine that is set before vs, wee turne it vnto laughter, wee vnhalowe it lyke Churchrobbers, and we turne quite and cleane contrarie to his meaning, so as it had bin better for vs neuer to haue heard one worde of his mouth. Thus yee see what wee haue to marke.

But now herewithall we must come to the meaning of Moses, which I have touched shortly already. Remember these words saith he. And how? By talking and conferring of them in thy house, and as thou goest abroad. Here we see well how our Lords meaning was not to be honoured with guards of garments and such other things, but to have his law printed in his peoples hearts, and to have it kept always fresh in remembrance. Therefore let us consider, that whereas we have so much needless talk our Lord will have his people exercised in talking and conferring upon his law, whether it be in resting, or in journeying, or when they be at home in their houses. If we minded this warning well, surely it would be a bridle to rein us back and to withdraw us from the unprofitable talk whereunto we be so much given. For we can spend, I say not some forenoon, but the whole day continually in light talk: but if we speak but two or three words of God, by and by we be weary and it grieveth us. Yet notwithstanding, this talking of him is not the chief point. For we must come to this saying of the psalm,