Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now he sayeth consequently, To do them and keep them. Here Moses repeateth that which he had spoken afore: namely that our Lords speaking unto us, is not to the end we should allow of his sayings, and confess the same to be true, rightful, and just: but to try our obedience. Gods word then must reform our life: for to that end and purpose is it spoken unto us. Nevertheless, we see how many a one do think themselves well discharged when they have but ducked down with their heads, in token that they gainsay it not. And they think GOD to be beholden to them if they blaspheme not his doctrine, and show not themselves to be enemies to it, but confess the same to be good and holy, for they will not have GOD to urge them any further. But that were too easy a market. For if GODS word were preached but only to the end it should be received and confessed with the mouth: to what purpose should it serve when in the mean while every man might take the bridle in his neck, and live as though we never had any rule of GOD? Were it not an unhallowing and defiling of the holy things, and a disfeating of the power of GODS word? Let us bear well in mind therefore, that if we come hither to Sermons, and yet continue still like our selves, so as our life be not answerable to that which hath been taught us here: we shall be double to blame, because it is but a mocking and scorning of the doctrine of salvation, when we let it slip away, and have but our ears beaten with it, without any touching of our hearts or any reforming of our lives thereafter. What is to be done then? We must understand that GODS word is not named a Guard without cause, for as much as men are like wretched beasts without discretion, until God have showed them how they ought to walk. Ye see then that it is our Guard or defence. And therefore if we keep Gods word, we also shall be kept and guarded thereby, and we shall have our bonds certain, so as we shall never err while we live: and moreover we shall have wisdom to judge between good and evil.

Nowe hee saieth consequently, To doe them and keepe them. Heere Moses repeateth that which hee had spoken afore: namely that our Lordes speaking vnto vs, is not to the end wee shoulde alowe of his sayinges, and confesse the same to bee true, rightfull, and iust: but to trye our obedience. Gods word then must reforme our lyfe: for to that end and purpose is it spoken vnto vs. Neuerthelesse, wee see howe many a one doe thinke themselues well discharged when they haue but ducked downe with their heades, in token that they gainesaie it not. And they thinke GOD to bee beeholden to them if they blaspheme not his doctrine, and shewe not themselues to bee enemies to it, but confesse the same to bee good and holy, for they wilnot haue GOD to vrge them any further. But that were too easie a market. For if GODS woorde were preached but onely to the ende it shoulde bee receiued and confessed with the mouth: to what purpose shoulde it serue when in the meane while euerie man might take the brydle in his necke, and liue as though wee neuer had any rule of GOD? Were it not an vnhallowing and defiling of the holy thinges, and a disfeating of the power of GODS woorde? Let vs beare well in minde therefore, that if wee come hither to Sermons, and yet continue still lyke our selues, so as our lyfe bee not aunswerable to that which hath beene taught vs heere: wee shalbe dubble to blame, bycause it is but a mocking and skorning of the doctrine of saluation, when wee let it slip away, and haue but our eares beaten with it, without any touching of our heartes or any reforming of our liues thereafter. What is to bee doone then? Wee must vnderstande that GODS woorde is not named a Garde without cause, for as much as men are lyke wretched beastes without discretion, vntill God haue shewed them howe they ought to walke. Yee see then that it is our Gard or defence. And therefore if wee keepe Gods word, we also shalbe kept and garded thereby, and we shal haue our bonds certaine, so as we shal neuer erre while we liue: and moreouer we shall haue wisedome to iudge betweene good aud euill.