Sermons upon Deuteronomy

which is, that sith we see our minds so ticklish, that we would fain still invent some new thing, and we bear ourselves in hand that we have spun a fair thread, when some new Ceremony is come forth by our means: it standeth us in hand to think thus, yea but GOD despiseth all this gear, yea and he showeth us that we do but pervert his service, when we add any thing after that fashion, of our own. Then is it an infallible doctrine that no Ceremonies are behoofeful or to be made account of among the faithful, unless they carry instruction with them. And that instruction must come of GOD: for it is his office to teach us, he reserveth that authority to himself. And therefore it is to be concluded, that the ceremonies which are set forth by men, are but trifles & gewgaws, how great a show of wisdom soever there seem to be in them.

which is, that sith wee see our mindes so tickelish, that wee woulde faine still inuent some newe thing, and we beare ourselues in hande that wee haue spunne a faire threede, when some newe Ceremonie is come foorth by our meanes: it standeth vs in hande to thinke thus, yea but GOD dispiseth all this geere, yea and he sheweth vs that we do but peruert his seruice, when wee adde any thing after that fashion, of our owne. Then is it an infallible doctrine that no Ceremonies are behoofeful or to be made account of among the faithful, vnlesse they carry instruction with them. And that instruction must come of GOD: for it is his office to teach vs, hee reserueth that authoritie to himselfe. And therfore it is to be concluded, that the ceremonies which are set forth by men, are but trifles & geugawes, howe great a show of wisedome soeuer there seeme to be in them.

And hereby we see also that it was superstitiously done of such as bear the name of Christians, to bring in a feast of Passover under pretence that the Jews had it: for the respects are far divers. I mean not that we may not have one day in the year, whereon to celebrate the remembrance of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ: for we must not run so rigorously into extremities, as that our infirmity might not have some help, to quicken it up withal, that we might the better bethink us all the time of our life, what benefit the rising again of our Lord Jesus Christ hath brought unto us. Well then may we have a day appointed to that purpose for orders sake: but to make a service of God thereof, or to think that we ought to fashion ourselves after the example of the Jews; that as they had their passovers, so ought we too: it were an abuse that tendeth to the turning of all things upside down, and a putting of a veil before the face of Jesus Christ, that men might not know the light of the Gospel. These things (as I said) were but shadows, whereof we have as now the body and substance: and therefore it is a hiding of Jesus Christ, when men bring in feasts after the manner of the Jews.