Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now let us come to that which Moses spake unto him. Moreover thou shalt go before the people (sayeth he) and therefore be of good courage and behave thyself manfully. When he sayeth unto him, that he shall go before the people, he stablisheth his authority in the name of GOD. Whereby he maketh it manifest, that it is not for men to thrust in themselves; accordingly also as the Apostle saith, that no man ought to usurp honour unto himself,¹ but he that is called to it must undertake and discharge the same: let us then learn to hold us in such modesty & simplicity, as that none of us advance himself above measure, nor pass his bounds, as who would say, I will do this or that, not knowing whether he be appointed of God or not, but let every man be contented to do that which is his charge, let a man govern his own household; and sith he is but a private person, let him not usurp upon that which is not permitted unto him. Let the minister of the word preach, and exhort, and accomplish his duty, let the magistrate in like wise look whereunto he is called, let every of us, keep his degree & his order: and let there be no confused mingling among us. That is the thing which we must remember. Very large doctrine might be gathered out of this article, but I will not stand much thereupon; for it hath been often spoken of, & it is sufficient for me to touch these matters in few words, for when they be once heard, every man may think upon them afterward. And greatly shall they have profited in Gods school, which can hold themselves in quiet, and not attempt more than God hath commanded them, but simply follow their own vocation. That is the thing which we have to mark in this place, where Moses ordaineth Joshua in his stead, howbeit speaking, as in the person of God, and by his authority.

Nowe let vs come to that which Moses spake vnto him. Moreouer thou shalt go before the people (sayeth hee) and therefore bee of good courage and behaue thyselfe manfully. When hee sayeth vnto him, that he shall goe before the people, he stablisheth his authoritie in the name of GOD. Wherby he maketh it manifest, that it is not for men to thrust in themselues; accordingly also as the Apostle saith, yt no man ought to vsurpe honour vnto himselfe,¹ but hee yt is called to it must vndertake and discharge the same: let vs then learne to hold vs in such modestie & simplicitie, as yt none of vs auaunce himselfe aboue measure, ne passe his boundes, as who would say, I will do this or that, not knowing whether he be appointed of God or not, but let euerie man be contented to doe that which is his charge, let a man gouerne his owne houshoulde; and sith he is but a priuate person, let him not vsurpe vppon that which is not permitted vnto him. Let the minister of the worde preach, and exhort, and accōplish his dutie, let the magistrate in like wise looke whereunto hee is called, let euerie of vs, keep his degree & his order: and let there be no confused mingling among vs. That is the thing which we must remember. Very large doctrine might be gathered out of this article, but I will not stande much thereuppon; for it hath beene often spoken of, & it is sufficient for me to touch these matters in fewe wordes, for when they be once hearde, euerie man may thinke vpon them afterwarde. And greatly shall they haue profited in Gods schoole, which can holde thēselues in quiet, and not attempt more than God hath cōmanded them, but simply followe their owne vocation. That is the thing which we haue to marke in this place, where Moses ordaineth Iosuah in his steede, howebeit speaking, as in the person of God, and by his authoririe.