Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And Moses speaketh expressly of strangers, to the intent we should understand that when God hath given liberty to a Country, and stablished the certain order of his service there, no abomination must be committed in that place, by the inhabitants thereof. For if they say, my servant holdeth not this religion: I grant it lieth not in us to convert him to God at the first day: yet notwithstanding, that it should be lawful for him to scorn GOD §50and his word, and to use superstitious wickedness, and to be disobedient to the common rule; that is too great and untollerable a disorder. And therefore it is showed us here in this Text, that if we covet to be served of them that have not yet the knowledge of GOD, we must keep them in awe, and not suffer the name of God to be blasphemed amongest us, what soever excuse be pretended. Thus much in effect have we to bear in mind concerning §60these words of Moses.

And Moses speaketh expresly of straungers, to the intent we should vnderstande that when God hath giuen libertie to a Countrey, and stablished the certaine order of his seruice there, no abhomination must bee committed in that place, by the inhabitours thereof. For if they say, my seruaunt holdeth not this religion: I graunt it lieth not in vs to conuert him to God at the first day: yet notwithstanding, that it shoulde bee lawefull for him to skorne GOD §50and his worde, and to vse superstitious wickednesse, and to bee disobedient to the common rule; that is too great and vntollerable a disorder. And therefore it is shewed vs heere in this Text, that if we couet to be serued of them that haue not yet the knowledge of GOD, we must keepe them in awe, and not suffer the name of God to be blasphemed amongest vs, what soeuer excuse be pretended. Thus much in effect haue we to beare in minde concerning §60these wordes of Moses.

Now he speaketh also of a Covenant and an oath, and showeth that the same were mutually given and taken betwixt GOD and the Jews. In deed this matter hath been partly handled heretofore. But yet we must remember, that when God maketh us to pass any solemn band with him; that first of all he bindeth himself unto us. And it is a thing that ought to mollify our hearts, though they were as hard as stones. What are we that our Lord should stoop so low, as to enter into Covenant with us, promising to be our father and Saviour, and to be as it were a man that made a bargain of a gift? God in deed requireth every of us to consecrate himself unto him, and to forsake all manner of liberty, and to become his subjects, and to continue quiet under his governance; but ere he require this, he maketh a gift of himself unto us. That is a matter which ought to ravish us in such wise, as we should make no difficulty fully to dedicate ourselves to our GOD, seeing that he himself allureth us thereunto by his own example, and doeth guide us thither. And we perceive the same yet further as often as the word of GOD is preached unto us: for that is the message of Reconciliation (as Saint Paul sayeth) and God is come near unto us,