Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Let us mark then that here Moses delivereth §60us a perfect doctrine which consisteth of two rules: Namely that we worship our GOD purely; and moreover that all superstitions be cast down, so as nothing may hinder the worshipping of God according to his worthiness, but that men may have an eye to him alone, & hold themselves alonely to his Majesty. And first he speaketh of the abolishing of all superstitions. Why so? For if a man intend to till & sow a field, if the same be full of briers, thorns, and noisome weeds, he must first and foremost cleanse the ground,¹ or else he must break it up with the plough to kill wicked weeds before he lay his seed into it. Even so must all corruptions be taken from among us, ere we can give our selves over to the serving of God. Well may it be preached unto us that there is but one God whom we ought to worship: but if we be possessed aforehand with fond fancies or imaginations, we shall be never the better for it, but our minds shall ever be entangled. That is the cause why Moses beginneth at that end. But yet he addeth further, that it is not enough to have cleansed a piece of ground, unless it be also tilled & sowed, that it may bring forth fruit, for else it will continue barren still. And what is a man the better then for his plucking up of the bushes and brambles that were in it afore? That is the thing which is showed us here. But first let us mark, that it is but a flat mockery, when men will needs set forth Gods word, without correcting of the vices that are contrary to the right religion; after which manner there are a number to be found nowadays in the Popedom, which row between two streams, of which sort are these hypocrites which have perchance some taste of the Gospel, and can boast indeed of the preaching of Gods word But how is that? Whereas they see the wretched world as sore blinded and besotted as may be, so as nothing else is minded but idolatry and superstition: yet they think it enough for them to say, there is but one God whom it behoveth us to worship. They dare not say that he only is to be worshipped: but let us worship God, say they. And will not the Paynims say as much? Have not the Papists always said the same? And yet when they have said, we have Jesus Christ for our advocate:

Let vs marke then that here Moses deliuereth §60vs a perfecte doctrine which consisteth of two rules: Namely that wee worship our GOD purely; and moreouer that all superstitions bee cast downe, so as nothing may hinder the worshipping of God according to his worthinesse, but that men may haue an eye to him alone, & holde themselues alonely to his Maiestie. And first he speaketh of the abolishing of al superstitions. Why so? For if a man intende to til & sow a feelde, if the same bee full of bryers, thornes, and noysome weedes, he must first and foremost cleanse ye ground,