Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now seeing that the Prophets used this doctrine after that manner; it ought well to serve to teach us likewise nowadays. Therefore whereas it is said that God came from mount Sinai; let us understand that seeing he hath approved and authorised his law by the visible signs and miracles which were seen at that time: we at this day ought to receive the law with like reverence as if god were before our eyes: & whensoever his word is preached unto us, it is all one as if he opened ⟨p. 1187⟩his hart, & showed us his will, & that there were mutual and (as they term it) interchangeable communication betwixt us. The end (say I) whereunto Gods word should serve us, is that he might common with us and we with him, yea and that so familiarly, as if he came down to us because we cannot mount up to him, so as he is fain to show that his coming forth is for our sakes. True it is that we shall not see the air on fire, we shall not see the fire burning on the §10mountain, we shall not hear the thunder roaring nor the trumpets ringing in the air: but it must suffice us that those things were once done to the intent that the law should have his authority even to the worlds end, and that all the miracles which were seen at that time, should be engraved in the law of God. Again, it ought to suffice us that God moved both heaven and earth at the publishing of the Gospel: insomuch that as then his power was yet better §20uttered; and moreover his majesty hath been seen in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby he was proved to be the only son of God. Seeing that all these things are known unto us; let not our unbelief keep us from receiving his word with fear and lowliness at this day, which is so well warranted unto us. Thus ye see what we have to gather upon this text, where it is said that God showed himself from Mount Seir. And truly after the warnings of §30Moses did once bear sway; the children of Israel did not then any more see the mountains of Seir, Theman, and Sinai; neither was it lawful for them to return into the wilderness; but the remembrance of those things ought to serve their turn for ever. And soothly, it was not enough for those which had seen those things, to be able to speak of them:

Nowe seeing that the Prophetes vsed this doctrine after that maner; it ought well to serue to teach vs likewise nowadayes. Therefore whereas it is said that God came from mount Sinay; let vs vnderstand that seeing he hath approued and authorised his law by the visible signes and miracles which were seene at yt time: we at this day ought to receiue the law with like reuerence as if god were before our eyes: & whensoeuer his word is preached vnto vs, it is all one as if he opened