Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And moreover let us extend this doctrine yet to a further use: which is, not to be inquisitive of Gods trueth, further forth than it is uttered §60in the holy scriptures. For God will not have us to fall (as ye would say) to pulling out of his bowels, as they do which will needs be searching out of measure, and more than they have leave to do. We shall see a number of fantastical fellows & giddy-brained persons, which cast forth fond & trifling questions, and turmoil heaven & earth, & are never contented, but are always busy & full of unquietness. Now, this is a cursed & deadly disease. And therefore let us learn to hearken unto God when he speaketh to us, & not to covet to know any more than he hath taught us, & setteth daily before us in the holy scripture. Let all our wisdom be to receive that which is uttered unto us by the mouth of god. It followeth how Moses upbraided the people, that they murmured in their tents, saying: Behold, because the Lord hateth us, therefore hath he brought us out of the land of Egypt, and brought us hither as to a burial place. For our brethren have made our hearts to quail, telling us that they saw Giants in the land, and that the towns are walled up to the clouds. And to what purpose then shall we go? Here we see that when men begin once to do amiss, the mischief waxeth still worse and worse, until it become to the full measure. It was an evil beginning aforehand, when the people resisted God, and would not follow to enter into the land at the commandment of Moses.

And moreouer let vs extend this doctrine yet to a further vse: which is, not to be inquisitiue of Gods trueth, furtherfoorth than it is vttered §60in the holy scriptures. For God will not haue vs to fall (as yee woulde say) to pulling out of his bowels, as they doe which will needes bee searching out of measure, and more than they haue leaue to doe. We shall see a nomber of fantasticall fellowes & giddibraind persons, which cast forth fond & tryfling questions, and turmoyle heauen & earth, & are neuer contented, but are alwayes busie & full of vnquietnesse. Now, this is a cursed & deadly disease. And therfore let vs learne to hearken vnto God when he speaketh to vs, & not to couet to know any more than he hath taught vs, & setteth daily before vs in the holy scripture. Let all our wisedome be to receiue yt which is vttered vnto vs by ye mouth of god. It followeth how Moses vpbraided ye people, that they murmured in their tentes, saying: Beholde, because the Lord hateth vs, therefore hath he brought vs out of the land of Egypt, and brought vs hither as to a burial place. For our brethren haue made our hartes to quaile, telling vs that they sawe Giants in the land, and that the townes are walled vp to the cloudes. And to what purpose then shall wee goe? Here wee see that when men begin once to doe amisse, the mischief waxeth stil worse and worse, vntill it become to the full measure. It was an euill beginning aforehand, when the people resisted God, and would not followe to enter into the land at the commaundement of Moses.