Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Besides this, we have to note the lowliness of Moses, in that he held not scorn of the counsel that was given him by one that was not so excellent as he himself, nothing near. Moses might have replied and said, what fellow is this? For I am chosen of God to govern his Church, and to be the chief of it. I have published his law in his name, I have represented his majesty, yea and he hath gi••• me such §40a visible sign thereof in my face, as though I were an Angel come down from heaven, rather than any earthly man. I have bin separated from the company of mortal men by the space of forty days, as though God had glorified me already: and shall a common person presume now to teach me? Moses then might have cast forth such words: but he submitted himself to reason. Why so? for he knew that God dealeth his gracious gifts as it pleaseth him, insomuch §50that the little ones may divers times further the greatest and excellentest. And therein God intendeth to try the soberness and mildness of those whom he hath advanced to degree of sovereignty. For when they forget not themselves, but are always pliable, and if a man bring them any better advice than they themselves wist of, they receive it willingly, and yield unto it: it is a true trial of their obedientnesse [unto God.] Seeing then that Moses, who was chief §60among all the ancient prophets, could find in his heart to yield to the counsel of his father in law Jethro, who never knew what true Religion meant, but had only a little taste of it in a shadow: what shall we do which are not come to the like glory that Moses had? Wherefore let us understand, that although God have bestowed his spirit most plentifully upon us: it is not to the end that we should hold scorn of the advice and counsel of such as are meaner than our selves. For the mean and very knot wherewith God will have us knit and joined together: is that the great ones should stoop to the least, and all agree in one. Moreover, as hath been declared already, although Jethro was the instrument to put Moses in mind of it: yet ought it to be imputed unto God, who had a care to provide for the benefit and safety of his people, that he might not fail them in any thing. And to this intent is it that Moses speaketh thereof. Now let us come to the words that are set down here.

Besides this, we haue to note the lowlynesse of Moses, in that he held not scorne of the counsell that was giuen him by one that was not so excellent as he himselfe, nothing neere. Moses might haue replyed and sayd, what fellowe is this? For I am chosen of God to gouerne his Church, and to be the chiefe of it. I haue published his lawe in his name, I haue represented his maiestie, yea and he hath gi mee such