Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now finally Moses addeth. Remember yourselves (sayeth he) for you have seen the abominations of Egypt, and also the Idolatry that is among all the heathen through whom you have gone: therefore be not deceived, neither let there be either man or woman, household or Tribe among you, that will turn away or slide back, and forsake the everlasting your GOD, to give over himself unto Idols. Here Moses, to confirm the people in the obedience of faith, and to hold them under the yoke of good doctrine, doeth use an argument which at the first sight might seem strange: for we be easily thrust out of the right way, when we see the world corrupted and overthwart. Albeit that we have some good motion, and be disposed to serve GOD: yet notwithstanding, as soon as any stumbling block comes in our way, by and by it maketh us to turn head, as we see examples thereof every day: insomuch that the man which is well instructed, and brought to a good point, runneth after the mockers of GOD, as soon as he seeth them. Another which hath tasted of the trueth of the gospel, beholdeth some foolish toy, and some hypocrite seduceth him so as he is changed. Such lightness and unsteadfastness do we see in many folk: and yet doeth Moses take the same as a confirmation to make folk the better resolved to serve GOD: as if he should say, My friends, you have the law which is certain and infallible unto you, for it is the trueth of GOD which can not lye. Seeing that GOD hath revealed himself unto you, it is reason good that you should observe your faith and loyalty toward him. But if you say, Why so? Other people deal not after this manner; we see many fashions through the world, every nation hath his God by himself; every man hath a religion after his own fantasy. Well might you be astonished at these things (sayeth Moses) and well might you be offended at it, if it were new unto you. But you have seen the abominations of ⟨p. 1031⟩the Egyptians, you have seen how foolishly the heathen do worship their Idols; and therefore if you be now moved and offended through the same, what excuse is there? For God's meaning was to arm you and to furnish you afore hand against these temptations, to the end you should not be in danger to slide back.

Nowe finally Moses addeth. Remember yourselues (sayeth he) for you haue seene the abhominations of Egypt, and also the Idolatry that is among all the heathen through whome you haue gone: therefore be not deceiued, neither lette there be either man or woman, houshoulde or Tribe among you, that will turne away or slide backe, and forsake the euerlasting your GOD, to giue ouer himselfe vnto Idolles. Heere Moses, to confirme the people in the obedience of faith, and to holde them vnder the yoke of good doctrine, doeth vse an argument which at the first sight might seeme straunge: for wee bee easily thrust out of the right way, when wee see the worlde corrupted and ouerthwart. Albeit that we haue some good motion, and be disposed to serue GOD: yet notwithstanding, as soone as any stumblingblocke comes in our way, by and by it maketh vs to turne heade, as we see examples thereof euery day: insomuch that the man which is well instructed, and brought to a good point, runneth after the mockers of GOD, as soone as hee seeth them. Another which hath tasted of the trueth of the gospell, beholdeth some foolishe toye, and some hypocrite seduceth him so as he is chaunged. Such lightnesse and vnstedfastnesse doe wee see in many folke: and yet doeth Moses take the same as a confirmation to make folke the better resolued to serue GOD: as if he should say, My friendes, you haue the lawe which is certaine and infallible vnto you, for it is the trueth of GOD which can not lye. Seeing that GOD hath reueiled himselfe vnto you, it is reason good that you should obserue your faith and loyaltie towarde him. But if you say, Why so? Other people deale not after this manner; wee see many fashions through the worlde, euerie nation hath his God by himselfe; euerie man hath a religion after his owne fantasie. Well might you be astonished at these thinges (sayeth Moses) and well might you be offended at it, if it were newe vnto you. But you haue seene the abhominations of