Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Others come thither for a fashion, & because there is in it a certain ceremony: but yet for all that, they be never the better minded nor the better disposed towards it. Now then we perceive that look how much God calleth upon us to hear his word; so much the more slow we be thereunto. And also contrariwise, we see how our Lord reproveth our unthankfulness, & that we misapply & misuse the good which he doth to us, & as much as in us lieth, suffer it to perish, unless he use all manner of helps, to set us forward more & more.

Others come thither for a fashion, & because there is in it a certain ceremony: but yet for all that, they be neuer ye better mynded nor the better disposed towardes it. Now then we perceiue yt looke how much God calleth vpon vs to heare his word; so much the more slow we be thereunto. And also contrarywise, we see how our Lord reproueth our vnthākfulnes, & yt we misapply & misuse the good which he doth to vs, & as much as in vs lyeth, suffer it to perish, vnlesse he vse al maner of helpes, to set vs forward more & more.

As touching that he saith, that the law shall be preached & recited to men, women, & little children ▪ we see in this place, that God hath not given his word to a small portion of people only, but would that all in general should be partakers of it, even from the most unto the least; & that is a very notable lesson. For we see the craftiness of Satan, how he hath laboured to deprive the greater part of the world of that benefit, under colour that the word of God is no common matter; that it is too high & too deep; and that it is too obscure. And moreover they have had this opinion, that it is not for men to enter into it, for that it is a Labyrinth to maze men withal, & men cannot fasten upon it. We see how these hypocrites in the popedom do terrify the people from reading the word of God. Take heed (say they) for it is dangerous for you to adventure so far. In very deed the word of God is sacred and holy: but what then? If the unlearned sort should taste of it, they should forthwith be infected with heresies, & their errors would be infinite, so as they should fall into great confusion. By this means men dare not once seek after the will of God: but they be borne in hand, that as soon as they enter into it, they by and by plunge themselves into a bottomless gulf. Contrary to that, here God saith, that when he gave his law, it was not only for the Tribe of Levi, but for all the people: and not for men only, but for women also, yea, & even for the little children. Let us hold it (say I) for a conclusion, that whereas God hath given us his law, and all the doctrine that is contained therein; it is the testament which he hath left for us: and thereby hath he adopted us for his children. Now if we be not the children of God, then are we not worthy to have any thing in common with him: but he calleth us unto him. And how shall we be sure of it, if he himself be not a faithful witness unto us of his will? Seeing then that our Lord certifieth us of our salvation, when he giveth us his word: we must understand that he will not suffer us to stray, as though we knew not whether we should turn on the right hand or on the left: but that he doth give us an infallible direction. Seeing then that he vouchsafeth to do the office of a schoolmaster towards us;