Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And first of all Moses saith; Do whatsoever is commanded thee. Whereby he meaneth (as I have declared in other places) that it is not enough for us to obey GOD by halves (for he can away with no such partnership:) but that we must submit our selves to his commandments in all cases and all respects, without any gainsaying. And that is a thing very worthy to be noted. For most men can well enough find in their hearts to confess that it is good reason that GOD should be served, yea even according to his own will as he himself requireth: but yet they cease not to take exceptions still, and to say, This likes me not, such a thing would do better. To be short, for all their pretence of obeying GOD, and although that in many respects they yield to the things that are spoken to them; Yet do they bear themselves in hand, that they may let the rest alone. But contrariwise, GOD admitteth not any exception, but saith that whatsoever he commandeth, must be done; and that we must not enter into disputation with him, to make him amends in one thing for missing in another; but that his Law must be observed, yea even according to the contents and substance thereof. For if I should receive some covenant or some public instrument or writing made upon it, and yet say, as for this point or that article, I will not admit it: what a thing were it? It were to disannul the whole. So then let us mark, that to honour God and to yield ⟨p. 525⟩him obedience, his word must bear the whole sway▪ so as we submit our selves wholly unto it. Mark that for one point.

And first of all Moses sayth; Doe whatsoeuer is commaunded thee. Whereby hee meaneth (as I haue declared in other places) that it is not enough for vs to obey GOD by halfes (for he can away with no such partnership:) but that wee must submit our selues to his commaundementes in all cases and all respectes, without any gainsaying. And that is a thing very worthie to bee noted. For most men can well enough finde in their heartes to confesse that it is good reason that GOD should bee serued, yea euen according to his owne wil as he himselfe requireth: but yet they cease not to take exceptions still, and to say, This lykes mee not, such a thing woulde doe better. To bee shorte, for all their pretence of obeying GOD, and although that in many respectes they yeelde to the thinges that are spoken to them; Yet doe they beare themselues in hand, that they may let the rest alone. But contrariwise, GOD admitteth not any exception, but sayth that whatsoeuer hee commaundeth, must be done; and that wee must not enter into disputation with him, to make him amendes in one thing for missing in another; but that his Lawe must bee obserued, yea euen according to the contentes and substaunce thereof. For if I should receiue some couenant or some publike instrument or writing made vppon it, and yet say, as for this poynt or that article, I will not admit it: what a thing were it? It were to disanul ye whole. So thē let vs marke, that to honor God and to yeelde