Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now whereas it is said That it was Moses the man of God that blessed the children of Israel: that title was given to Moses as in respect that he was the instrument of the holy Ghost. Then speak he not of his own motion, there is not any thing spoken here after the flesh, but as proceeding from a man of God. And hereby we be the better taught, to embrace the record that is given us here, as if God protested with his own mouth that he had a care of his people, and that he would evermore continue his goodness and gracious favour towards them. For in deed there was a blessing made by the Priests in the time of the law, according to this saying, Bless ye, you that be of the house of the Lord. And it is the same thing which is written in the sixth Chapter of the book of Numbers [where it is said] that they which do sacrifice to GOD,¹ shall bless the people in his name. And truly, where the Priests and the tribe of Levy are spoken of, this also is added, To whom the Lord hath given the charge of Blessing the people. ²And this thing is not abolished at this day. For our Lord Jesus Christ had in his person the things that were figured in old time under the Law. Let us know then that nowadays there is one everlasting blessing of God, which is much better witnessed unto us, than all the blessings that were so often repeated under the law; insomuch that as now God telleth us by his only son that he taketh us into his favour, and that we be as his children, and that the preaching of the Gospel serveth us to that end, and we must apply it to that use. So then, whensoever we come to hear the word of God, let us call to mind how our Lord Jesus Christ at his going up into heaven, did lift up his hands over his disciples and bless them as is reported by Saint Luke. And that was done to make us know what his office is, and to do us to understand that at this day when the Gospel is preached in his name,³ it is all one as if he should say, Behold, my father accepteth you, you be in his favour. Now then, seeing we have this, ought it not to make us to love the Gospel, considering that therein we be blessed by the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ, as in whose name and by whose authority that doctrine is treated of?

Now whereas it is saide That it was Moses the man of God that blessed the children of Israell: that title was giuen to Moses as in respect that hee was the instrument of the holie Ghost. Then speake hee not of his owne motion, there is not anie thing spoken here after the fleshe, but as proceeding from a man of God. And hereby wee be the better taught, to imbrace the record that is giuen vs here, as if God protested with his owne mouth that hee had a care of his people, and that he would euermore continue his goodnesse and gratious fauour towardes them. For in deed there was a blessing made by the Priests in the time of the lawe, according to this saying, Blesse yee, you that bee of the house of the Lorde. And it is the same thing which is written in the sixth Chapter of the booke of Numbers [where it is saide] that they which doe sacrifice to GOD,