Sermons upon Deuteronomy

If GOD then after he hath taught us gently, do exhort us with a more quickness, yea, and threaten us, and moreover summon us, and afterward frame our indictment against us, let us understand that it is necessary that it should be so, and that we ought not to be offended thereat: for we shall win nothing by it. Ye shall see many which can find in their hearts that the Gospel should be preached: but after what manner? Forsooth after a dead manner, so as the letter should be laid forth, and then every man hold what he listed, without any exhortation to be made, and without unfolding of the inward force thereof. Such scoffers as these are to be seen, which do flatly mock GOD, and yet in the mean while will needs be borne withal. What, say they? Is it a preaching of the Gospel, when men threaten, and deal thus roughly? But in the mean while let us consider what we be, whether it be meet that God should deal with us after our one liking. In deed if we were pliable, so as our hearts did yield at every word: then were this vehemency superfluous & unprofitable: but seeing we be as slow as Asses, and also frantic, so as he cannot tame us, nor reclaim us unto him; it is good reason that he should speak in an other phrase. That is the thing which we have to observe, where Moses doeth in this place call to heaven and earth. Yea and let us mark, that he expresseth more in saying, heaven and earth, than if he had called all the Angels of heaven, (as he might have done,) and in likewise all the devils of hell, as executioners of the justice of God. But it ought to make us more ashamed when he setteth before us the senseless creatures. Now therefore when we have not obeyed our God, who shall be our witnesses to condemn us? The creatures that have neither reason, nor understanding, nor senses. The earth knoweth not wherefore it was created, no more do the heavens; and yet do even they preach with a loud voice, that their creator is to be obeyed.

If GOD then after hee hath taught vs gently, doe exhort vs with a more quickenesse, yea, and threaten vs, and moreouer summon vs, and afterwarde frame our inditement against vs, let vs vnderstande that it is necessarie that it shoulde bee so, and that wee ought not to bee offended thereat: for wee shall winne nothing by it. Yee shall see many which can fynde in their hartes that the Gospell should be preached: but after what manner? Forsooth after a deade manner, so as the letter shoulde be layed foorth, and then euery man holde what hee listed, without any exhortation to bee made, and without vnfolding of the inwarde force thereof. Such scoffers as these are to bee seene, which doe flatly mocke GOD, and yet in the meane whyle will needes bee borne withall. What, say they? Is it a preaching of the Gospel, when men threaten, and deale thus roughly? But in the meane whyle let vs consider what wee be, whether it be meete that God should deale with vs after our one liking. In deed if we were pliable, so as our heartes did yeeld at euerie word: then weare this vehemencie superfluous & vnprofitable: but seeing we be as slow as Asses, and also frantique, so as he cannot tame vs, nor reclaime vs vnto him; it is good reason that he should speake in an other phrase. That is the thing which wee haue to obserue, where Moses doeth in this place call to heauen and earth. Yea and let vs marke, that he expresseth more in saying, heauen and earth, than if he had called all the Angels of heauen, (as hee might haue done,) and in likewise all the dyuels of hell, as executioners of the iustice of God. But it ought to make vs more ashamed when he setteth before vs ye senslesse creatures. Now therfore when wee haue not obeyed our God, who shalbe our witnesses to condemne vs? The creatures yt haue neyther reason, nor vnderstanding, nor senses. The earth knoweth not wherefore it was created, no more do the heauens; and yet doe euen they preach with a loud voyce, that their creator is to be obeyed.