Sermons upon Deuteronomy

and that we should acknowledge it to §60be Gods trueth, whereunto it behoveth our whole life to be framed, without adding or diminishing. That is our demand. On the contrary part, it is certain that all Popery must needs fall to the ground, except mens inventions may have their full course, so as Gods word may be mingled, turmoiled, stuffed, yea and even falsified with mens devises. And yet notwithstanding the Papists are so shameless still, as to upbraid us that we will needs be too wise in our own conceits. Yea marry, but wherein? When it comes to the trial, we desire no more but that Gods word may not in any wise be diminished, and that the things which we think good of our selves should not be admitted, but that we should forsake whatsoever is of man, and thrust it utterly under foot and abolish it, so as only God may be exalted. Is it our intent to be overwise, when we confess, first of all that there is nothing but foolishness in men, and that such as will needs be skilful and witty [of themselves] are stark mad, inasmuch as they can not put themselves wholly into Gods hand, to be governed by him as he listeth? And yet notwithstanding, that is the thing wherein we differ. And that is it that engendereth most strife in these days, because the Papists cannot yield to this reason, that God should be obeyed according to his word, and that men should be contented to be taught by him in his school. In deed they will not be so bold as to deny that Gods law is holy and rightful: but yet to their seeming, God hath spoken but by halves, & men had need of a higher and profounder doctrine, and of straiter laws: But it is not said here, that men should but only hear what God saith, & afterward do what they list themselves: No, God giveth them no such choice. For what a thing were that? He should not only admit us to be his fellows, but also give us superiority over him. And it were even a turmoiling of heaven & earth together, & a hellish confounding of all things. Yet notwithstanding, such hath it bin, & such is it still among the Papists at this day. For notwithstanding that they grant Gods Law to be holy and righteous: yet they cease not to turmoil it with whatsoever seems good to themselves.

and that wee should acknowledge it to §60bee Gods trueth, whereunto it behoueth our whole life to be framed, wtout adding or diminishing. That is our demand. On the cōtrarie part, it is certaine that all Poperie must needes fall to the ground, except mens inuentions may haue their full course, so as Gods word may bee mingled, turmoiled, stuffed, yea and euen falsified wt mens deuises. And yet notwithstanding the Papists are so shamelesse still, as to vpbraide vs that we will needes be too wise in our owne conceits. Yea marie, but wherein? When it comes to the triall, wee desire no more but that Gods worde may not in any wise be diminished, and that the thinges which wee thinke good of our selues should not be admitted, but that wee should forsake whatsoeuer is of man, and thrust it vtterly vnder foote and abolish it, so as onely God may bee exalted. Is it our intent to be ouerwise, when we confesse, first of all that there is nothing but foolishnesse in men, and that such as will needes be skilfull and wittie [of themselues] are starke mad, inasmuch as they can not put themselues wholly into Gods hand, to bee gouerned by him as he listeth? And yet notwithstāding, that is the thing wherein wee differ. And that is it that ingendreth most strife in these dayes, bicause the Papistes cannot yeelde to this reason, that God should bee obeyed according to his worde, and that men should be contented to bee taught by him in his schole. In deede they will not bee so bolde as to denie that Gods lawe is holy and rightful: but yet to their seeming, God hath spoken but by halues, & men had neede of a higher and profounder doctrine, and of straiter lawes: But it is not said here, that men should but onely heare what God saith, & afterward do what they list themselues: No, God giueth them no such choise. For what a thing were that? He shoulde not onely admit vs to bee his fellowes, but also giue vs superioritie ouer him. And yt were euen a turmoiling of heauen & earth togither, & a hellish cōfounding of al things. Yet notwithstāding, such hath it bin, & such is it still among the Papists at this day. For notwithstanding that they graunt Gods Law to be holy and righteous: yet they ceasse not to turmoile it with whatsoeuer seemes good to themselues.