Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Secondly it behoveth us to mark here, that the keeping of the outward form of the Law is not all that we have to do: but that we must specially observe the substance of the Law. Will we prove our obedience towards God? The way to do it is not by Ceremonies, but to seek out the certainty of his meaning, and to submit our selves thereunto. For men will take good heed to the worldewarde, that they offend not in such wise, as they may be punished: and if a man can find some pretty shift to excuse himself withal when he cometh before the judge; he thinks all his doings to be justifiable enough. A man then will make no conscience to offend, so he have wherewith to hide himself when he is reproved, and that he can say, as for me, I understood it not so: the Law saith not so. He findeth out some little word that carieth a show of contrariety to the true meaning of the Law, and setteth a counterfeit construction upon it, and so bears himself in hand that he hath well ridded his hands of the matter, and that by that means he is clear of it. And therefore let us learn that it is nothing worth to have observed the Law as in respect of the outward form of it, that is to say, in such wise as men can find no fault with us; but that the chief point is to live soundly & roundly, accordingly as we see here that it was Gods will that in the seventh year there should be a respite, that is to wit that men should not sue for their debts, but suffer it to be a resting time, as I declared yesterday.

Secondly it behoueth vs to marke here, that the keeping of the outwarde forme of the Lawe is not all that we haue to doe: but that wee must specially obserue the substance of the Lawe. Wil wee proue our obedience towardes God? The way to do it is not by Ceremonies, but to seeke out the certaintie of his meaning, and to submit our selues thereunto. For men will take good heede to the worldewarde, that they offende not in such wise, as they may bee punished: and if a man can finde some pretie shift to excuse himselfe withall when hee commeth before the iudge; hee thinkes all his doings to bee iustifiable ynough. A man then will make no conscience to offende, so he haue wherewith to hide himselfe when he is reproued, and that hee can say, as for mee, I vnderstoode it not so: the Law saith not so. He findeth out some little worde that carieth a shewe of contrarietie to the true meaning of the Lawe, and setteth a counterfait construction vppon it, and so beares himselfe in hande that hee hath well ridded his handes of the matter, and that by that meanes he is cleare of it. And therfore let vs learn that it is nothing worth to haue obserued the Lawe as in respect of the outwarde forme of it, that is to say, in such wise as men can finde no fault with vs; but that the chiefe point is to liue soundly & roundly, accordingly as wee see here that it was Gods will that in the seuenth yeare there should bee a respit, that is to wit that men shoulde not sue for their dettes, but suffer it to bee a restingtime, as I declared yesterday.