Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And it is said further, that men should not inquire after their gods. Hereby he doeth us to understand, that men are oftentimes turned away from well doing, by their foolish curiosity. For when we be once instructed in the pure simplicity of Gods word, if we hold our minds imprisoned, that is to say, if we hold our selves contented with Gods trueth; then are we sure that our Lord will confirm us more and more, so as though all the §50world were on a broil, yet should we be knit still in good agreement of faith. But our wits are so fickle, that they be always roving: we cannot hold our selves from inquiring of this and that: not for any benefit that we reap by it, for we wot not what is the reason thereof: but yet our desirousness so tickleth us, and so provoketh us, that we cannot hold our selves in quiet to say, let us obey our God. Therefore Moses meant plainly to §60condemn the vice that reigneth overmuch in men, and is too deep rooted in their nature: which is, that in stead of soberness to hold our selves in simple obedience to Gods word; we be continually turmoiled with vain fancies, and all our seeking is who did this and who did that, that we might be cunning in judging thereof. As for example, we see a great sort that would fain know all the Religions of the world. And to what end? It seemeth to them that they be not sure of the Christian faith, unless they know Machomets Alcoran; and all the devilishness that hath reigned among the Paynims and Papists; and have their heads full stuffed and besotted with all the dotages of the Jews. Thus do they play the beasts through their wicked curiosity, and it appeareth well that there hath been nothing in them but utter vanity and hypocrisy. Wherefore according to that which Moses hath declared here, let us learn not to be too inquisitive of the things that are not good for us. We see that even in reading Gods word,¹ we must use this modesty of forbearing to seek things needless which serve not to edifying: & what will come of it if we disguise Gods word, by ripping up the things which cannot but infect our minds, and corrupt them, and turn them from the pure trueth? True it is that such as are to make wars are fain to be inquisitive of the force and policy of their enemies, that they may beware of them:

And it is saide further, that men shoulde not inquire after their gods. Heereby hee doeth vs to vnderstande, that men are oftentimes turned away from well doing, by their foolish curiositie. For when wee bee once instructed in the pure simplicitie of Gods worde, if wee holde our mindes imprisoned, that is to say, if wee holde our selues contented with Gods trueth; then are wee sure that our Lorde will confirme vs more and more, so as though all the