Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now hereunto Moses addeth, that he himself had bin as a mediator between God and men, because the people were afraid and durst not go up into the mountain. Whereby Moses doth us to wit, that the delivering forth of the law by a mortal man, ought not to diminish the authority thereof. And why? Because the infirmity of the people required it: that was their fault. And it is a text well worthy to be marked. For we do always seek starting-holes, that we might despise Gods word. In deed we will not pretend it openly: but yet are all of us so lewdly disposed, that we think our selves well at ease if we can find any colour to say, Tush I know not whether this be Gods word or no, I cannot tell whether it speak to me or no, I wot not what condition is annexed to it. Thus we see how the world striveth continually to exempt themselves from the obedience of Gods word: and it is a very common excuse to say, yea, it is true that GOD ought to be obeyed, but yet for all that, they that preach are but men like our selves: and must their doctrine be hearkened to, as though they were men that came from heaven? Many men bear themselves in hand that this should go for payment, notwithstanding that they be rebels against GOD, or rather that they pass not at all to submit themselves to him and to his word.

Nowe hereunto Moses addeth, that he himselfe had bin as a mediator betweene God and men, because the people were afraide and durst not goe vp into the mountaine. Whereby Moses doth vs to wit, that the deliuering foorth of the lawe by a mortall man, ought not to diminishe the authoritie thereof. And why? Because the infirmitie of the people required it: that was their fault. And it is a text well worthie to bee marked. For wee doe alwayes seeke startingholes, that wee might despise Gods worde. In deede wee will not pretend it openly: but yet are all of vs so lewdely disposed, that wee thinke our selues well at ease if wee can finde any color to say, Tush I knowe not whether this bee Gods word or no, I cannot tell whether it speake to me or no, I wote not what condition is annexed to it. Thus wee see how the worlde striueth continually to exempt themselues from the obedience of Gods worde: and it is a very common excuse to say, yea, it is true that GOD ought to be obeyed, but yet for all that, they that preach are but men lyke our selues: and must their doctrine bee hearkened to, as though they were men that came from heauen? Many men beare themselues in hand that this shoulde goe for payment, notwithstanding that they be rebels against GOD, or rather that they passe not at all to submitte themselues to him and to his worde.