Sermons upon Deuteronomy

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,¹ I believe, and therefore will I speak. For oftentimes and most commonly, they that have Gods law in their mouth and at their tongues end, have it not at all in their heart and affection. Therefore we must speak of Gods law, much more with our hearts than with our mouths. But yet must we talk of it also, to edify our neighbours, that the father may teach his children and the master his servants, to serve God. That is the cause why our Lord commandeth men to talk of his Law: not to discharge themselves lightly of it, as though the whole matter lay in speaking of it: but to quicken up and correct our unlustinesse, so as every man help forward his neighbour, and draw him with him, and the fathers and masters in the mean while be careful to teach their children and servants, as I said afore. That is Moseses simple meaning when he speaketh here of talking either at home or abroad: namely that mens talk must always be of Gods Law.

But now herewithall we must come to the meaning of Moses, which I haue touched shortly already. Remember these wordes sayth hee. And howe? By talking and conferring of them in thy house, and as thou goest abroad. Here wee see well how our Lordes meaning was not to be honored with gardes of garmentes and such other thinges, but to haue his lawe printed in his peoples heartes, and to haue it kept alwayes fresh in remembrance. Therefore let vs consider, that whereas wee haue so much needelesse talke our Lord will haue his people exercised in talking and conferring vppon his lawe, whether it bee in resting, or in iourneying, or when they be at home in their howses. If wee minded this warning well, surely it would be a bridle to reine vs backe and to withdrawe vs from the vnprofitable talke whereunto wee bee so much giuen. For wee can spend, I say not some forenoone, but the whole day continually in light talke: but if wee speake but two or three wordes of God, by and by wee bee wearie and it greeueth vs. Yet notwithstanding, this talking of him is not the chiefe poynt. For wee must come to this saying of the psalme,