Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Moreover, let us mark also, that under this saying, of the Law, is comprehended the rehearsal of the things that Moses intended to make, of the things that were come to pass. True it is that the word Law betokeneth teaching and instruction: and therefore a man might ask at the first blush, what instruction there is in the report of stories. It is not without cause, that Moses hath said so. For when God putteth us in remembrance of our sins, and of the benefits that he hath bestowed upon us, and of the chastisements which we have received at his hand: it ought to teach us to our profit. Gods setting of such things afore us, is not to make us pastime: but to the end, that on the one side we should be the better disposed to serve him, and to continue in his fear: and on the other side be trained and allured to resort unto him, and to seek all our welfare and all that ever belongeth to our salvation, at his hand. We see then how it is not without cause, that Moses giveth the name of Law or Doctrine, to the rehearsal of things that were come to pass, forsomuch as by that means the people ought to have bin led unto God, & to have bin the better edified. And therefore let us mark, that when we read the holy stories, it is not only to know what hath bin done, to the end we may be able to talk of it: but to the end we should behold there the grace of God towards the faithful in delivering them. Also we must consider after what manner he hath exercised his children in patience, and made them to wade through many afflictions, that their faith might be tried: and consequently how he never forsaketh them at the point of need and necessity. Again we must consider the justice that he hath executed in punishing such as have done amiss and transgressed his will. If we have such regard and discretion with us, the Stories will be as an instruction to us. For we shall be better assured by them, than if GOD did but simply tell us what he requireth at our hands and what our duty is. That then is the thing ⟨p. 8⟩which we have to bear in mind: & it will be a good preparative for us to the things that are to ensue. For otherwise it would be thought an unprofitable thing, to know that Moses chose men to govern the people, & that on the other side the people followed not Gods commandment in pursuing their enemies, and such other like things.

Moreouer, let vs marke also, that vnder this saying, of the Lawe, is comprehended the rehearsall of the things that Moses intended to make, of the things that were come to passe. True it is that the word Law betokeneth teaching and instruction: and therefore a man might aske at the first blush, what instruction there is in the report of stories. It is not without cause, yt Moses hath sayde so. For when God putteth vs in remembrance of our sinnes, and of the benefites yt he hath bestowed vpon vs, and of the chastisements which wee haue receiued at his hand: it ought to teache vs to our profit. Gods setting of such things afore vs, is not to make vs pastime: but to the end, that on the one side we should be the better disposed to serue him, and to continue in his feare: and on the other side be trained and allured to resort vnto him, and to seeke all our welfare and all that euer belongeth to our saluation, at his hand. We see then howe it is not without cause, that Moses giueth the name of Lawe or Doctrine, to the rehearsall of things that were come to passe, forsomuch as by yt meanes the people ought to haue bin led vnto God, & to haue bin the better edified. And therefore let vs marke, that when we reade the holy stories, it is not onely to know what hath bin done, to ye end we may be able to talke of it: but to the end we should behold there the grace of God towardes ye faithful in deliuering them. Also we must consider after what maner he hath exercised his children in patience, and made them to wade through many afflictions, that their faith might bee tryed: and consequently how he neuer forsaketh them at the point of neede and necessitie. Againe we must consider the iustice that he hath executed in punishing such as haue done amisse and transgressed his will. If we haue such regarde and discretion with vs, the Stories will bee as an instruction to vs. For wee shall bee better assured by them, than if GOD did but simply tell vs what he requireth at our handes and what our duetie is. That then is the thing