Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Moreover it was Gods will to refresh them, as if it were said, I have my wings stretched out, to give you shadow, & to maintain you under my protection; that if the son be over hot by day, you shall be hidden as under me & under my leading. And by night, when all is dark, I will serve you for a light, & you shall be guided thereby: there shall be continually a burning fire, to show unto you that I am waking, and that I am never asleep, & that I have not mine eyes shut, but that I do foresee for all your necessities. That is the cause why God appeared in such manner to the Jews, to wit that by day he gave them a cloud to cover them, which was long and in form of a great Pillar (as I have said), and by night there was a burning fire, all on a length, like unto a train of fire over all the people. And this fire served to give light to the people; as if God had showed his hand, as who would say, fear not: for I have not forgotten you; I wot what is necessary for you. But yet it is said that when Moses was called to the Tabernacle to receive any great charge, then the cloud descended by day, like as the fire also did his office by night. Thus did God cause the cloud to descend of purpose that the door of the Tabernacle should be shut;¹ and that was as much as if the people had bin taught thus: Behold, now is Moses to be withdrawn from all the world, God speaketh to him as it were mouth to mouth, it is not for us to look to have him conversant any longer here beneath after the manner of mortal men, there is an other respect to be had of him: God hath sequestered him, because it is his will to have such familiarity & communication with him, as we may receive that which he bringeth unto us, as if it came from heaven. That then is the cause why the cloud descended upon the Tabernacle. And this is not spoken here only, but as often as it was Gods will to authorize Moses, and to ratify the office which he had given him, to the end that the people should with the greater reverence receive the doctrine which proceeded from him. The same in likewise was also done when Moses appointed Joshua in his own place to succeed him. Insomuch that when God was about to show him what he had to do, the cloud appeared again. Now these things ought to stand us in stead at this day. For God did not mean to give authority to his law, only for that time; but to the end of the world.

Moreouer it was Gods will to refresh them, as if it were sayde, I haue my wings stretched out, to giue you shadowe, & to maintaine you vnder my protection; that if the sonne be ouer whot by day, you shalbe hidden as vnder me & vnder my leading. And by night, when al is darke, I will serue you for a light, & you shalbe guided thereby: there shalbe continually a burning fire, to shewe vnto you yt I am waking, and that I am neuer asleepe, & that I haue not mine eyes shut, but that I do foresee for all your necessities. That is the cause why God appeared in such maner to the Iewes, to wit yt by day he gaue them a cloud to couer them, which was long and in forme of a great Pyller (as I haue said), and by night there was a burning fire, all on a length, like vnto a train of fire ouer al ye people. And this fire serued to giue light to the people; as if God had shewed his hand, as who wold say, feare not: for I haue not forgotten you; I wot what is necessary for you. But yet it is sayd yt when Moses was called to the Tabernacle to receiue any great charge, then the cloud descended by day, like as the fire also did his office by night. Thus did God cause the cloud to descende of purpose yt the doore of the Tabernacle should be shut;