Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Of this place we have a good lesson to gather, which is, that seeing God hath ordained means agreeable to our infirmity to serve him withal; we ought to use them, according to this saying, thou shalt seek out that place. For Moses having warned the Jews of their rudeness, commandeth them to benefit themselves by such means as the Lord teacheth them: that is to wit, by the ceremonies which he would give them. Nowadays we have not the like ceremonies to those that were under the law. But yet doth our Lord bear with us also, so far forth as he seeth it requisite, and giveth us such ceremonies as are meet for us, in respect whereof we have the meetings that are made among us, as I have said afore. And why? To the end that Gods word should be preached to us, that we should make common prayers as it were with one mouth, that we should confess our faith, and christendom together, and that the Sacraments should be ministered in the company of the faithful. Seeing that our Lord giveth us such means, it behoveth us to use them. For whosoever despiseth them, mocketh God openly. Let us mark well that whatsoever our Lord hath ordained for our behoof, we must receive it, & be diligent to strengthen our faith thereby daily more & more. For if I think my self to be so perfect, that I pass not to come at the Church, there to benefit my self with others: it is a devilish overweening; and it were better for me that I were some poor beggar that had neither wit nor understanding, (so as in the mean while I knew mine own poverty) than to be so high minded. For it is the next way to cast me down to the bottom of hell, when I will needs exempt my self from the common order. And therefore whosoever hath any zeal and affection to serve God, must do that which is commanded here in seeking the place that God hath appointed: that is to say, he must not hold scorn of any thing which he hath ordained for the confirming of our faith. That is one point.

Of this place we haue a good lesson to gather, which is, that seeing God hath ordeyned means agreable to our infirmitie to serue him withall; we ought to vse them, according to this saying, thou shalt seeke out that place. For Moses hauing warned the Iewes of their rudenesse, commaundeth thē to benefite themselues by such meanes as the Lord teacheth them: that is to wit, by the ceremonies which he would giue them. Noweadayes we haue not the like ceremonies to those that were vnder the lawe. But yet doth our Lord beare with vs also, so farre foorth as hee seeth it requisite, and giueth vs such ceremonies as are meet for vs, in respect wherof we haue the meetinges that are made among vs, as I haue saide afore. And why? To the end that Gods worde should be preached to vs, that we shoulde make cōmon prayers as it were with one mouth, that we should confesse our faith, and christendome together, and that ye Sacramentes should be ministred in the companie of the faithful. Seeing yt our Lord giueth vs such meanes, it behoueth vs to vse them. For whosoeuer despiseth thē, mocketh God openly. Let vs marke wel that whatsoeuer our Lord hath ordeined for our behoofe, we must receiue it, & be diligent to strengthen our faith therby dayly more & more. For if I thinke my self to be so perfect, yt I passe not to come at ye Church, there to benefit my self with others: it is a diuelishe ouerweening; and it were better for me that I were some poore begger that had neither witte nor vnderstanding, (so as in the meane while I knewe mine owne pouertie) than to be so high minded. For it is the next way to cast me downe to the bottome of hell, when I will needes exempt my selfe from the common order. And therefore whosoeuer hath any zeale and affection to serue God, must doe that which is commaunded here in seeking the place that God hath appointed: that is to say, he must not holde skorne of any thing which he hath ordeined for the confirming of our faith. That is one point.