Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And so when we once know our own diseases, let us apply the fit medicines unto them. In Gods word we shall find enow of them wherewith to heal & cure us, so we be willing to use the good that is offered us there. Thus ye see in effect how we ought to practise this text. It consisteth not in the doing of a sort of Ceremonies, nor in pretending fair countenances, by wearing texts of Gods law upon our apparel, or by writing up of a number of goodly sentences without any other minding of them at all; all that (say I) is nothing. What then? We must seek the means to confirm our selves in the fear of our God, and to recover again into the right way: & because we be so weak, we must receive such remedies as God appointeth us.

And so when we once know our owne diseases, let vs apply the fit medicines vnto them. In Gods word we shall finde ynow of them wherewith to heale & cure vs, so we be willing to vse the good yt is offered vs there. Thus ye see in effect how we ought to practise this text. It consisteth not in the doing of a sort of Ceremonies, nor in pretending faire countenāces, by wearing texts of Gods law vpon our apparell, or by writing vp of a nomber of goodly sentences without any other minding of them at al; al yt (say I) is nothing. What then? We must seeke the meanes to confirme our selues in ye feare of our God, and to recouer againe into the right way: & bicause wee bee so weake, wee must receiue such remedies as God appointeth vs.

Above all things we must observe that which is said here; Lay up the commandments which I set before thee, in thy heart and in thy soul. To the intent then that men should not stand poring upon the outward fashion & figure; that is the chief point. The mark (say I) whereat he shores, and whereunto all this doctrine is to be referred, is that Gods law should be in our hearts and in our souls. For though we have it ever before our eyes, & at our tongues end, so as we seem to set never so great store by it, and yet in the mean while our heart is locked up, & we have no courage to serve God: truly we do but deceive men, & procure our selves the sorer condemnation before God. Now then let us have Gods law written, let us have the sayings of it painted upon our walls as in tables, & let us have things to put us in mind of it early & late: but let not it serve for our discharge, as though God were to be payed in such coin. How then? Let us endeavour to have it so graven in our hearts, as it may never be wiped out again, yea even in our harts & in our souls, that is to say, in such sort as it may possess all our affections. For that is the place where Gods word is to be kept. But what? The thing that S. James speaketh of,