Sermons upon Deuteronomy

but when we be so eager, that without any occasion or need, we will needs know that which doeth not touch us nor concern us; is it not a tempting of God? is it not a casting of our selves into the snares which we see that Satan hath laid for us? Therefore when men have been taught the Gospel purely let them abide quietly therein, let them be contented with this, that they are approved of God; who cannot deceive them, and let them refuse all manner of trumperies, which can serve to no purpose but to entangle them in trifling disputations without profit, or without any furtherance to their faith. We see what hath happened to some, I mean of these wildbeaded fellows that would needs be inquisitive of all things, and there was not any sect or opinion, but they would needs know it and have skill to dispute of it. Very well: but what won they by so doing? God gave them up, so as they were destitute of understanding, and there was less wit and discretion in them than in little children. Where things were in quiet they would needs set all on a broil, yea even without any time or reason, so as they saw not a whit even in the things that were so visible and apparent, that they might have picked out their eyes with them. Seeing then that GOD doeth so punish these troublesome heads that cease not to martyr themselves in their own unquietness, and cannot be satisfied but that they must needs be inquisitive of the things that are not for their profit: we ought to be the more mindful of Saint Pauls lesson,¹ which is that we must not be over wise, but wise according to subtlety. Let us bethink us of our slenderness, how rude and gross witted we be, and let it suffice us that GOD can well skill to teach us, if we take him for our master and teacher. And seeing we have his word, let every of us keep himself within the bounds thereof, and not ⟨p. 523⟩play the colts that are broken loose.

but when wee be so eager, that without any occasion or neede, wee will needes knowe that which doeth not touch vs nor concerne vs; is it not a tempting of God? is it not a casting of our selues into the snares which wee see that Sathan hath laide for vs? Therefore when men haue beene taught the Gospell purely let them abide quietly therein, let them bee contented with this, that they are approued of God; who cannot deceiue them, and let them refuse all manner of trumperies, which can serue to no purpose but to intangle them in trifling disputations without profite, or without any furtherance to their faith. Wee see what hath happened to some, I meane of these wildbeaded fellowes that woulde needs be inquisitiue of all thinges, and there was not any sect or opinion, but they woulde needs know it and haue skil to dispute of it. Verie well: but what wonne they by so doing? God gaue them vp, so as they were destitute of vnderstanding, and there was lesse wit and discretion in them than in little childrē. Where things were in quiet they would needes set all on a broyle, yea euen without any time or reason, so as they sawe not a whit euen in the thinges that were so visible and apparant, that they might haue picked out their eyes with thē. Seeing then that GOD doeth so punish these troublesome heades that cease not to martyr themselues in their owne vnquietnesse, and cannot bee satisfied but that they must needes bee inquisitiue of the thinges that are not for their profite: wee ought to bee the more mindefull of Sainct Paules lesson,