Sermons upon Deuteronomy

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;

As touching that he saith, that the law shalbe preached & recited to men, women, & litle children ▪ wee see in this place, yt God hath not giuen his word to a smal portion of people only, but would yt al in general should be partakers of it, euen frō the most vnto the least; & that is a very notable lesson. For we see the craftines of Sathan, how he hath laboured to depriue the greater part of the world of that benefite, vnder colour that the word of God is no cōmon matter; yt it is too high & too deepe; and that it is too obscure. And moreouer they haue 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 vpon it. Wee see howe these hypocrytes in the popedome do terrifie the people from reading the word of God. Take heede (say they) for it is dangerous for you to aduenture so farre. In very deede ye word of God is sacred and holy: but what then? If the vnlearned sorte should taste of it, they should foorthwith be infected with heresies, & their errors would be infinite, so as they should fall into great confusion. By this meanes men dare not once seeke after the will of God: but they be borne in hande, yt as soone as they enter into it, they by and by plunge themselues into a bottomlesse gulfe. Contrary to that, here God sayth, yt when he gaue his law, it was not alonly for the Trybe of Leui, but for al ye people: and not for men only, but for women also, yea, & euen for the litle children. Let vs holde it (say I) for a conclusion, that whereas God hath giuen vs his lawe, and all the doctrine that is contayned therin; it is the testament which he hath left for vs: and thereby hath he adopted vs for his children. Nowe if wee bee not the children of God, then are wee not worthie to haue any thing in common with him: but hee calleth vs vnto him. And how shall we be sure of it, if he himselfe bee not a faithfull witnesse vnto vs of his will? Seeing then that our Lorde certifyeth vs of our saluation, when he giueth vs his word: wee must vnderstande that he will not suffer vs to stray, as though wee knewe not whether wee shoulde turne on the right hand or on the left: but that hee doth giue vs an infallible direction. Seeing then that hee vouchsafeth to doe the office of a schoolemaster towardes vs;