Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now let us mark the ground that Moses taketh here: that is to wit: At such time as God spake unto you in mount Horeb, he showed not himself in any visible shape. In speaking after that manner, Moses showeth that we must not be hasty aforehand to conceive what we our selves think good, but must tarry till God show himself. Take that for one point. For if men will needs give way to their own fleshly reason in that behalf, they shall overthrow themselves and break their necks with their over much haste. But on the other side Moses showeth, that GOD did manifest himself in such wife to his people, as there is no cause why men should any more say, how shall we know God? How shall we be sure that he is near us? How shall we worship him? How can we call upon him? God therefore hath cut off all occasions of fond curiosities, by showing himself to his people. And the same agreeth now fitly unto us. For when God published his law in mount Horeb: although he had then chosen the offspring of Abraham: yet was it his intent to give forth a doctrine that should continue to the worlds end. Then let us understand, that God in manifesting himself by voice, meant to bar all images, not only in respect of the Jews, but also in respect of us too. And therefore we see that their beastliness is so much the greater, which nowadays maintain this corruption concerning images in the Popedom: for they allege that this was spoken for the Jews & not for us: Verily as who should say that Gods manifesting of himself by voice, and not in shape of man or of any other living creature, served not for all ages, but only for the people of old time.

Now let vs marke the grounde that Moses taketh here: that is to wit: At such time as God spake vnto you in mount Horeb, hee shewed not himselfe in anie visible shape. In speaking after that maner, Moses sheweth that we must not be hastie aforehand to conceiue what wee our selues thinke good, but must tary till God shewe himselfe. Take that for one poynt. For if men will needes giue way to their owne fleshlie reason in that behalfe, they shall ouerthrowe themselues and breake their neckes with their ouer much haste. But on the other side Moses sheweth, that GOD did manifest himselfe in such wife to his people, as there is no cause why men should any more say, how shall wee knowe God? How shall wee be sure that hee is neere vs? How shall wee worship him? How can wee call vppon him? God therefore hath cut off all occasions of fond curiosities, by shewing himselfe to his people. And the same agreeth now fitly vnto vs. For when God published his lawe in mount Horeb: although he had then chosen the ofspring of Abraham: yet was it his intent to giue foorth a doctrine that should continue to the worlds end. Then let vs vnderstand, that God in manifesting himselfe by voyce, meant to barre all images, not onely in respect of the Iewes, but also in respect of vs too. And therefore wee see that their beastlynesse is so much the greater, which nowadayes mainteine this corruption concerning images in the Popedome: for they alledge that this was spoken for the Iewes & not for vs: Verily as who should say that Gods manifesting of himselfe by voyce, and not in shape of man or of any other liuing creature, serued not for all ages, but onely for the people of olde time.