Sermons upon Deuteronomy

There is afterwards mention made of Filth and uncleanness, and of the dead: And that is because of the ceremonies of the Law. For we know how GOD meant to keep the people of old time occupied in these figures, to the intent we might know that men are subject unto many defilements, and that they become unclean at every turning of a handle. And here is mention made of the dead, because if one touched a dead man or entered into an house where he was; he was defiled. Hereby the Jews were warned, that in this present life we are beset with so many defilements, that we cannot steppe a foot forward, nor turn a finger, but God shall espy something worthy of blame in us: and for that cause were the washings appointed. And the Jews had a looking glass and a lively picture thereof, when they saw a dead body. For behold, it is a carrion: and whence proceedeth this loathsomeness which we see to be in a man, when he is dead? For the body of man is the house and temple of the holy Ghost, and the dwelling place of the lively Image of GOD. Yet notwithstanding, the body of man being dead is more stinking than the carrion of a dog or of an Ass. Now then, the sight hereof serveth well to humble us in beholding the fruits of sin. For God showeth as it were with his finger, that the spiritual filthiness which dwelleth in us▪ uttereth it self even in the body. ⟨p. 908⟩And this was the meaning of the figures which the ancient fathers had under the law. Now it is true in deed that the figures themselves are no longer in use; but yet the substance of them shall always remain, to do us to understand that forasmuch as we be subject to many defilements because the world is so corrupted as is pity to behold, we ought to keep good watch, & that as often as we perceive any stain in us, or that we have not followed Gods commandments roundly, or that we §10have bin allured by any wicked affection, or that we have not walked in the way of God with so fervent zeal as we should have done, or that we have bin held back & hindered with some worldly care: we must bewail it before God, and flee for refuge to the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: for there is no talk to be had of other washings. The holy water of the Papists is but a charm, whereby they have renounced the benefit of the death & passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is afterwards mention made of Filth and vncleanenesse, and of the deade: And that is bycause of the ceremonyes of the Lawe. For wee knowe howe GOD meant to keepe the people of olde tyme occupyed in these figures, to the intent wee myght knowe that men are subiect vnto many defylementes, and that they become vncleane at euerie turning of a handle. And heere is mention made of the dead, bycause if one touched a dead man or entered into an house where hee was; he was defyled. Heereby the Iewes were warned, that in this present life wee are beset with so many defylementes, that wee cannot steppe a foote forwarde, nor turne a finger, but God shall espie something woorthye of blame in vs: and for that cause were the washinges appoynted. And the Iewes had a looking glasse and a liuely picture thereof, when they sawe a deade bodye. For beholde, it is a carrion: and whence proceedeth this lothsomnesse which we see to bee in a man, when hee is deade? For the body of man is the house and temple of the holy Ghost, and the dwelling place of the liuely Image of GOD. Yet notwithstanding, the body of man beyng dead is more stinking than the carrion of a dog or of an Asse. Nowe then, the sight heereof serueth well to humble vs in beholding the fruites of sinne. For God sheweth as it were with his finger, that the spirituall filthinesse which dwelleth in vs vttereth it selfe euen in the body.