Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Moreover Moses termeth God Faithful, to show that like as afore, he attributed strength unto him, (for the Hebrew word that he useth cometh thereof:) so must we also have his truth before our eyes and in our remembrance, to the end to lean unto him & to refer our selves wholly unto him, knowing that Gods strength serveth not to abash us, but that whensoever it is spoken of, it is matched immediately with mercy, to the intent we should be drawn unto him, and come to him with a cheerfuller courage. Then is it not without cause that Moses hath set down Gods trueth here, of purpose to hold the people in obedience to him. And hereby we be taught, not to press into Gods privities, and to dispute of things that are too high for us, yea and utterly uncomprehensible: but rather that we must rest upon his word and trueth, which he hath revealed unto us. True it is that we must be fully persuaded of this point, that GOD chose us in his everlasting purpose,¹ not because we were worthy of it, but because it pleased him so to do: and that there is none other cause thereof but only his good pleasure, as the holy Scripture showeth us. And so let us understand, that although we have Gods word:² yet will God have pity on whom he will have pity, according to Saint Pauls alleging of the same text, to show that albeit the multitude of people to whom the Gospel is preached be never so great, yet God reserveth whom he listeth to himself, and it is meet he should so do, and yet notwithstanding we have cause to glorify him howsoever things go, without attempting in any wise to grudge at it. But have we known that? Would we be assured of our salvation? We must resort not only to Gods grace, but also chiefly to the promises whereby he uttereth his love towards us, as is said already, ⟨p. 319⟩Ye see then that the cause why Moses doth in this place attribute the title of Faithful unto God, is to the end that when folk will be sure of their salvation, they should not enter into foolish imaginations,³ but look unto Gods word which is before their eyes, whereupon they may be bold to rest.

Moreouer Moses termeth God Faithfull, to shewe that like as afore, he attributed strength vnto him, (for the Hebrewe worde that he vseth commeth therof:) so must we also haue his truth before our eyes and in our rememberaunce, to the end to leane vnto him & to referre our selues wholly vnto him, knowing that Gods strength serueth not to abash vs, but that whensoeuer it is spoken of, it is matched immediatly with mercy, to the intent we should be drawen vnto him, and come to him with a cheerefuller courage. Then is it not without cause that Moses hath set down Gods trueth heere, of purpose to hold the people in obedience to him. And heereby wee bee taught, not to preace into Gods priuities, and to dispute of thinges that are too high for vs, yea and vtterly vncomprehensible: but rather that wee must rest vppon his word and trueth, which he hath reuealed vnto vs. True it is that we must bee fully perswaded of this point, that GOD chose vs in his euerlasting purpose,