Sermons upon Deuteronomy

For even among us there are divers to be seen, who having unhallowed Gods word after that sort, are become stark mad and fall at defiance with GOD, being possessed with such devilish rage, as there remaineth not any more shamefastness in them. Therefore when we see this gear, we ought to quake at it and to say, Lo how GOD revengeth the contempt of his word. And therefore let us bear in mind, that when God hath been so gracious to us as to do the office of a schoolmaster among us, and to teach us by his word: it behooveth us to follow the light thereof. For if it be put out through our naughtiness: it must needs be that we shall become more dull of understanding, than all the rest of the world which never wist what GOD or true Religion is. Thus ye see what we have to mark as in respect of this sentence.

For euen among vs there are diuers to bee seene, who hauing vnhallowed Gods word after that sort, are become starke madde and fall at defiance with GOD, being possessed with such diuelish rage, as there remaineth not any more shamefastnesse in them. Therefore when wee see this geere, we ought to quake at it and to say, Loe howe GOD reuengeth the contempt of his worde. And therefore let vs beare in minde, that when God hath bene so gratious to vs as to doe the office of a scholemaster among vs, and to teach vs by his word: it behooueth vs to followe the light thereof. For if it bee put out through our naughtinesse: it must needes bee that wee shall become more dull of vnderstanding, than all the rest of the worlde whiche neuer wist what GOD or true Religion is. Thus yee see what wee haue to marke as in respecte of this sentence.

Now Moses addeth immediately, Take heed to thy self and keep thy soul diligently, that thou forget not the things which thine eyes have seen, nor let them ever depart from thy heart: that is to wit, the day wherein thy God made thee to appear before his Majesty in the valley of Hareb. There he taught thee his law, when he willed me to make you all to appear together before him. Therefore be mindful of that day, and let it never be forgotten. Now when as Moses saith take heed to thy self & keep thy soul: He showeth that he cannot sufficiently express the care which we ought to have to walk in the fear of God, and to make and keep good watch, for fear of starting from him, least the devil harry us abroad and make us become as stray sheep. Now if this be not superfluous, what needeth any more to quicken us up withal? See how God speaketh here: he sayeth not only, take heed to your selves: but also, take heed to your selves and take heed to your souls. That is to say, upon peril of your lives take heed to your selves and watch well, that ye be not taken unawares. And this is not said without cause: for we see how frail we be. Although God have given us so sure a foundation, as we can never be shaken down if we hold us to it: yet do we nothing but totter, and every thing of nothing maketh us to reel. Seeing then that our nature is so unconstant, and we swerve so easily from Gods trueth: let us assure our selves that this exhortation is not set down here without cause. Again, we see also how wily the devil is, and how many means he hath to beguile us, and we are easily led to give ear to such as seduce us. Also there is great policy used to deceive us: insomuch that the cozeners do shroud themselves even under the name of GOD, in their foisting in of their false doctrines and errors: and the devil disguiseth himself by transforming himself into an Angel of light (as S. Paul speaketh of him):