Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Let such as have the charge of teaching, […] nearly to themselves and think well upon it, and bear in mind what God commandeth them that they may discharge themselves thereof: or else they may well make coverings, but God will ask them an account of the things that he had enjoined them. Again on the other side, when we hear our vices and sins sharply rebuked by Gods word, and rough threatenings against us, so as it may seem that our teachers intend to deliver us into Gods hand to be punished by him according to our deserts: let us not think it strange, as a number do, who would have us but only to grease and anoint their scabs, in steed of handling them as they should be, & cannot abide to be rebuked roughly. But what? They would be flattered to the end they might perish without feeling of it. Contrariwise we see that to be taught aright, we must be rebuked and threatened, yea and that with such sharpness and vehemency, as we may be driven to bethink us of our offences, and to humble our selves before God as becometh us. That is the thing which we have to remember in that we see that Moses was so chafed at the peoples transgression, that he brake the two Tables immediately, and afterward drew out the sword, to punish such as had so violated Gods service, and encouraged his tribe to do the like. Let us not think but that Moses was wounded to the quick with grief and compassion, when he was fain to do execution with his own hands. For we know he was a meek and kind hearted man, and inclined to good and holy pity above all others. But yet doth it behoove him to discharge his duty, or else he had been unfaithful towards God.

Let such as haue the charge of teaching, 〈…〉 neerely to themselues and thinke well vppon it, and beare in minde what God commandeth thē that they may discharge themselues thereof: or else they may well make couerings, but God will ask them an acoount of ye things that he had inioyned them. Againe on the otherside, when we heare our vices and sinnes sharpely rebuked by Gods worde, and rough threateninges against vs, so as it may seeme that our teachers intend to deliuer vs into Gods hande to bee punished by him according to our desertes: let vs not thinke it straunge, as a number do, who would haue vs but onely to grease and annoynt their scabs, in steed of handling them as they should be, & cannot abide to be rebuked roughlie. But what? They would be flattered to the end they might perishe without feeling of it. Contrariwise we see yt to be taught aright, we must be rebuked and threatened, yea and that with such sharpenesse and vehemencie, as wee may bee driuen to bethinke vs of our offences, and to humble our selues before God as becommeth vs. That is the thing which wee haue to remember in that wee see that Moses was so chafed at the peoples transgression, that hee brake the two Tables immediately, and afterwarde drewe out the swoorde, to punishe such as had so violated Gods seruice, and incouraged his tribe to doe the like. Let vs not thinke but that Moses was wounded to the quicke with greefe and compassion, when hee was faine to doe execution with his owne hands. For wee knowe he was a meeke and kinde hearted man, and inclined to good and holie pitie aboue all others. But yet doth it behooue him to discharge his duetie, or else hee had beene vnfaithfull towards God.