Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Therefore we must not think it enough for us to be able to talk of it: but we must have an inward hearkening §30unto God, and every of us must talk of it to himself, chewing as it were his cud, that is to say, musing upon it in his mind by himself, as if he should say; It standeth me in hand to mark this well: but whereas we should endeavour after that manner to print the things in our memory which have bin taught us in the name of God: we let it all slip away. For as much then as we see such fault in our selves: we ought to mark this text the better where it is said; Set §40your hearts thereon. As if Moses should say that Gods word requireth a singular affection, so as if we will understand it well, we must not hear it as some other thing of another mans telling: for it is a kind of wisdom that surmounteth all our wits. Therefore it standeth men in hand to strain themselves in this behalf: but on the contrary part we see the coldness that is in us, in so much that when we have once tasted a little thereof, we pass not any more for it. Come §50we to the hearing of Gods word? Do we read it alone by our selves? Then let this warning always stand before our eyes, that Gods word is worthy to be received with such reverence, as we should lift up our minds on high & labour and endeavour to rid our selves of all things that may hinder us from giving our selves wholly thereunto. Thus ye see what Moses meant by this speech of se•ting their hearts.

Therefore wee must not thinke it ynough for vs to bee able to talke of it: but wee must haue an inward harkening §30vnto God, and euerie of vs must talke of it to himselfe, cheawing as it were his cudde, that is to say, musing vpon it in his minde by himself, as if he shoulde say; It standeth mee in hand to marke this wel: but whereas we should indeuour after that manner to print the things in our memorie which haue bin taught vs in the name of God: we let it all slip away. For as much then as wee see such fault in our selues: wee ought to marke this text the better where it is sayde; Set §40your heartes thereon. As if Moses should say that Gods word requireth a singular affection, so as if we will vnderstand it well, wee must not heare it as some other thing of another mans telling: for it is a kinde of wisedome that surmounteth all our wittes. Therefore it standeth men in hand to straine themselues in this behalfe: but on the contrarie part we see the coldnesse that is in vs, in so much that when we haue once tasted a little thereof, wee passe not any more for it. Come