Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And he setteth down afterward, that he had given them statutes and ordinances according as God had commanded him. Wherein he protesteth that he had been a faithful deliverer of the doctrine which he did set forth, to the end that the people might not receive it as the doctrine of a man, but consider how it was God that had spoken it, and so embrace it with all §50reverence. And hereby we see that GOD doeth evermore reserve to himself, the right of governing us as in respect of the spiritual government of our souls. True it is that God would there should be civill policy in this world, and he hath put men in commission for the same: but in the mean while he will have none but only himself to have power to lay laws upon us. When the case concerneth his own service, and religion, and spiritual §60things: then must only he himself be heard, and no man must usurp his office or meddle in it, nor no man steppe in to add one word. For if ever any man in the world was worthy to be heard: was not Moses so excellent, that he might well be foremost and chief? Yes: for we shall see hereafter,¹ that there never was such a Prophet in the world, neither before him nor after him, even to the coming of him that is above all Prophets, that is to wit, the Son of God. And yet for all his worthiness, Moses holdeth himself in the number of those which ought to hearken unto God without setting forth any thing of his own device. Seeing it is so, whosoever taketh upon him to make laws to rule mens souls, shall go to confusion with his devilish presumptuousness and overweening. To be short, when any doctrine is to be followed, let us on our side look that we be sure that it proceedeth from God, & that our faith be grounded on him alone, so as we hang not upon mortal men, nor upon any creature. For there would be no steadiness. Thus ye see that the first point which we have to mark upon this text, is that Moses protesteth that he cometh not in his own name, nor setteth up Laws at his own pleasure, but received the things at Gods hand, which he taught. And for that cause he saith, the Lord my God commanded me. True it is that the people might have said so as well as Moses, according also as Moses addeth oftentimes, The Lord your God.

And hee setteth downe afterwarde, that hee had giuen them statutes and ordinances according as God had commaunded him. Wherein hee protesteth that hee had beene a faithfull deliuerer of the doctrine which hee did set forth, to the end that the people might not receiue it as the doctrine of a man, but consider howe it was God that had spoken it, and so imbrace it with all