Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But here are yet other things which deserve to be looked unto more nearly. And first of all, whereas it is said that Moses ceased not to make intercession: that may seem strange. For I have told you already that our prayers are faulty, if they be not directed by faith: & faith importeth that we be sure of Gods will, according to Saint Johns exhortation,¹ where he saith that if we intend to pray aright, we must follow Gods ordinance, and not our own likings. Sith it is so: how durst Moses in this text sue unto God contrary to his express forbidding, so as although GOD say, Let me alone, I will not hear thee speak of it any more, this people must needs perish: yet doth Moses make intreatance still? Wherein he may peradventure seem unportunate, yea and that he is minded even to spite him, or at least wise to show some kind of disobedience? Nay we must note, that Moses never showed himself more obedient than in this, forasmuch as the trust of the promise that God had made could not be wrested from him by so forcible a temptation, needs must it be that he was throughly settled in faith, when God speaketh to him after such a sort, and telleth him, I am determined to destroy this people: and yet Moses maketh intercession still, as though he would let him of his purpose. And why? Is it for that he discrediteth God, or for that he believeth not his threatening as the unbelievers do, who commonly make but a mock of it when God speaketh to them of his wrath? No: Moses dealeth not so: but this is his leaning-stock: behold, God hath made his covenant with Abraham, and that covenant must needs be unchangeable. For it dependeth not upon the deserts of men, but is grounded upon Gods own free goodness. Moses knew this: and therefore when he heard GOD speak of the destroying of that people: he fell as it were to setting of himself against it, upon assurance of the promise that had been made. True it is that he saith nothing of it: but yet was it a thing throughly known to the people, that at the end of four hundred years, they should be put in possession of the inheritance which God had promised them. Moses then held himself to Gods covenant,² which was unchangeable and to stand in force for ever. Though men be never so wicked:

But here are yet other thinges which deserue to be looked vnto more neerely. And first of all, whereas it is saide that Moses ceased not to make intercession: that may seeme strange. For I haue tolde you alreadie that our prayers are faultie, if they be not directed by fatih: & faith importeth that wee bee sure of Gods will, according to Saint Iohns exhortation,