The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.

On Wednesday the vj. of May, 1556. The CLXXVII. Sermon which is the fifth vpon the one and thirtith Chapter.

22 And so Moses wrate this Song the same day, and taught it the children of Is∣raell.

23 Then hee commaunded Iosuah the sonne of Nun, and sayde, bee strong and of good courage: for thou shalt bring the Children of Israell, in∣to the lande concerning the which I haue sworne to them, and I will bee with thee.

24 And it came to passe that Moses finished his wryting of the woordes of this Lawe in the booke: so that hee made an ende.

25 Then Moses commaunded the Leuites that bare the Arke of the Couenaunt of the Lord, saying:

26 Take the booke of this Lawe, and lay it in the side of the Arke of the Couenaunt of the Lorde your God, that it may bee a witnesse agaynst thee.

27 For I knowe thy stubbornnesse and thy stiffe necke, beholde, whyle I am yet a liue with you this day, you bee Rebelles agaynst the Lorde: how much more then will you be so after my death?

28 Cause all the Elders of your Trybes and your Rulers to come before me, that I may vtter these words in their hearing, and that I may call both heauen and earth to witnesse against them.

29 For I knowe that after my death, you will bee corrupted and fall a∣way from the way that I haue commaunded you. And finally euill will come vppon you, bycause you shall haue doone euill in the sight of the Lorde, by prouoking him to anger through the workes of your handes.

30 So Moses spake the words of this song in the eares of all the congregation of Israell: vntill he ended them.

WEe haue heere before already seene, howe Moses exhorted Iosuah, whome GOD gaue him to bee his successor. And therein wee haue seene also, that he was contented to haue serued God during his owne lyfe time, and that hee was not grieued y^t another was reserued for the charge which was more excellent than that which had beene committed vnto him. For the [ 20] chiefe matter was to put the children of Israel in possession of the heritage that God had pro∣mised them. Moses is remoued from that honor, and GOD tolde him that it was to shame him withall, bicause he had not glorifyed him, when the people stroue, at such time as they asked water to drinke. God sayd that Moses behaued not himselfe constant ynough at that time, and therefore hee punished him, and would not that hee shoulde put the people in possession of the [ 30] land of Chanaan. Nowe see with what patience Moses did beare this chastisement which God layd vppon him: In so much that although Io∣suah was appointed in his place, yet hee was not a whit mooued thereat with enuie or euill will: but did rather exhort him, desiring nothing, but that such a man might be set vp, as should main∣tayne and preserue the state of the Church. Hereby we are taught, that although God doe pardon our faultes, yet neuerthelesse if it please [ 40] him to send vs corporall punishments to the in∣tent wee shoulde the rather humble our selues, and not spurne against his power, but stoope to it, and yeelde our selues altogether obedient; surely it is conuenient for vs as he knoweth ve∣rie well. And therefore let vs suffer our selues to bee gouerned by his hand, as it is the generall rule that we must obserue in al the punishments that God doeth send vs.

And by the way, wee are also to marke, that [ 50] the zeale of the honour of God and of y^e welfare of his Church, ought to beare rule in vs: so as none of vs doe couet to bee in high degree, and to mount aboue his neighbours: but bee con∣tented that God doe conduct vs by the meanes of men, and that hee choose such instrumentes as it pleaseth himselfe. For so hee may alwayes haue the soueraintie, and the Church prosper, let vs reioyce therein, and let no man haue re∣garde of himselfe. Moreouer wee are to call [ 60] to rememberaunce, that when Moses meant to encourage Iosuah, hee assured him vppon the promyse of GOD. And that is the thing which must bee the stay of all our strength. For if wee will bee stout vppon our owne heade; GOD will ouerthrowe such a rashnesse, lyke a fond thing as it is. What must then bee done▪ Wee must embrace the promises of GOD; and when hee hath once tolde vs that he is our de∣fender: wee must not feare that wee shall bee forsaken of him, but bee resolute in all thinges. And although the worlde doe offer vs many o∣uerthwartes to make vs to distrust: yet let vs stande stedfast in the thing which our GOD hath told vs. For it is good reason to doe him the honour, that his woorde may bee preferred before all thinges that may turne vs away from the affiaunce that hee hath gi∣uen vs.

Thus see you heere a very profitable lesson which is, y^t bycause we feele so many infirmities in our selues y^t there needeth nothing to beate vs downe, but as soone as y^e wind bloweth, we be shaken, or else doe fall altogether: we percei∣uing such feeblenesse in vs, must receiue the re∣medie that is offered vs here; which is to hear∣ken to the promises of our God. And for as much as hee assureth vs that he will neuer faile vs; let vs trust to that stay: For when the winds, the Stormes, and the Tempestes of this present world come; wee shall neuer bee shaken. Ye see then that the strength and stay, of the faith∣full, is to rest altogether vpon that which God hath promised them. And for that cause doeth Moses say to Iosuah, Thou shale put the children of Israell in possession of the land. And Moses speaketh it not at aladuenture; but to ratifie that which we haue seene more at large here before; name∣ly that God had chosen Iosuah to that office, and that hauing committed the charge vnto him, he promised him in likewise to vphold him with his mightie hande, Whereupon it is saide vnto him, be strong, and behaue thy selfe manfully. So then let vs learn to fight against al temptations when wee haue once tasted the force of Gods promi∣ses. For it is a token that wee giue no credite to that which God speaketh, when wee con∣tinue lyke Reedes shaking with euery winde, and tremble at euery trouble that commeth: standing in a mamering, or starting from the right way, and waxing rechlesse in discharging our duetie. As often as such thinges happen, wee shewe our weakenesse: and wee giue good proofe that wee beleeue not that which GOD hath spoken. Wee may well alleage and say, As for my selfe, I hold the promises of God for certaine, I doubt not but that whatsoeuer pro∣ceedeth from his mouth is an infallible trueth. Wee may well so say; but the deede it selfe pro∣ueth that there is nothing in vs but hypocrisie, and that wee bee not firme to go through with that which is commaunded vs, and to discharge

our duetie in following our vocation, ne walke steadily when all thinges seeme forlorne. To be short, let vs learne that faith is ioyned with such power, as ought alwayes to make vs to go fore∣ward still, whithersoeuer God calleth vs: And so shall it doe, conditionally that we bee grounded vppon his woorde. And on the contrary side, we must needes be tossed with vnquietnesse, and be wandering hither and thither, and trotte vp and downe without any stay, if we haue not the word [ 10] of God to guide vs, and to be our lanterne. And it is the right payment of all them, that leane to their owne fansies, and make foolishe enter∣prises, and passe their boundes and lymites: It is requisite (say I) that our Lord should beate them downe at the last, though they were aduaunced for a tyme. And what is the cause? Bycause (as I saide afore) there is no power but that which is grounded vppon the woorde of God.

But there is yet one point more, which is [ 20] that euerie one of vs must haue respect where∣unto hee is called, and what it is that God hath committed to his hands: for (as we see heere) if Iosua had thrust in himselfe, without God had appointed him, what power could hee then haue had? Peraduēture for a braide or twain he might haue done wonders, as we see y^e Children of this worlde doe, who in their brauerie doe as it were spitte fire for a whyle as they say, but in the end are quite confounded. And euen so shoulde it [ 30] haue happened to Iosua. But forasmuch as hee taryed till God had shewed him his wil, therfore he was not disappointed of his hope. So then, let none of vs take more vppon him than is law∣full for him: but let vs consider what our office and calling require, and so let euery of vs keepe him within his degree, with all sobernesse and modestie; and then will GOD bee our guide, according to this saying of his, that his An∣gels shall alwayes beare vs company, euen in [ 40] our iourneyes, so wee goe not astray. Nowe heerewithall it is declared heere, that Moses did write this Song and all the booke of the Lawe; and that hauing written it, hee red it o∣penly before all the people, and gaue the booke of the Lawe to the Leuites, willing them to lay it in the side of the Arke or Coffer of the Coue∣nant, and telling them that it should be a Testy∣monie against the people. Yea and once againe he accuseth thē of rebelliō: Thou shalt know (saith [ 50] he) what a one thou art. God must alwayes haue an action framed against thee and bee thy Iudge; for thou art full of Rebellion, thou wilt not bee gouerned but by strong hand; If thou woul∣dest willingly serue thy God, hee would vse thee after a more myeld and gentle fashion. But what? Bycause thou art so hardened in euill, that thou wilt not by any meanes bee bowed, GOD is fayne to vse rigour. And nowe yet once againe (sayeth hee) I will call heauen and [ 60] earth to witnesse against you. That is the effect of that which is declared in this place.

Now as concerning the first poynt, we must marke that this woorde Writing doeth import, that Moses was not the author of the Lawe nor of the song: but was onely the writer or recor∣der thereof, at the mouth of God. Nowe then, like as a clearke of an office writeth what is ap∣poynted him; Euen so it is sayd expressely here, that Moses wrate the things which he receiued of God, and not any thing that was forged in his owne brayne. And this serueth to giue such au∣thoritie to the Lawe and to the song which wee shall see heereafter; as may make vs to giue eare with all reuerence, not to a mortall crea∣ture, but to the liuing GOD, whose will it is to haue his Maiestie knowen there. Thus much for one poynt.

And herewithall it is shewed vs that our faith oweth no obedience but to him onely, neyther ought to depend vppon men, howe wise soeuer they be; but that God ought to haue the gouer∣ning and whole Lordship thereof. According whereunto Saint Paule protesteth, that he raig∣ned not like a Lord vnder any colour ouer their faith, but that he reserued that right vnto God, to whom alone it belonged. And in verie deede if wee should compare all the men liuing in the worlde with Moses, it is certaine that we should alwayes finde, that hee is the excellentest Pro∣phet that GOD hath chosen of all the rest, ac∣cording as wee shall see in the ende of this song: and yet for all that, his speaking of the law which was published by him, is not to bring vs in admiration of his person, that wee should say, Truely that was an excellent man: but it is sayde that God was serued by him. After what manner? Soothly euen thus, that hee did not take any thing in hand, nor put foorth any dreame or dotage of his owne, but onely wrate that which hee had receiued at the mouth of God. Seeing that this testimonie is deliuered concerning Moses: what diuelish boldnesse and arrogancie is in them that bee farre inferiour to him: which will needes bee heard, when they bring foorth nothing but their owne fan∣tasies, and submit not themselues to the worde of God? And yet wee haue to marke that the charge of Moses differed greatly from theirs which be at this day ordained Ministers in the Church. For God gaue him his lawe; and there∣fore hee was fortie dayes and fortie nightes in the mountaine without meate or drinke, to the ende that his doctrine shoulde bee authorised. Nowe, this was peculiar to him, and as a speciall priuiledge. Seeing it is so, then are we so much the better confirmed in that which I haue spo∣ken: to wit, that it becommeth not men to en∣terprise any thing of their owne braine (as they say,) but that they must onely deliuer forth that which God cōmandeth them, and be (as it were) his instruments.

And heerewithall let vs marke also, how it is not without cause, that Moses commandeth the Leuites to lay the booke of the Lawe in the side of the Chist or Arke of the couenaunt: for thereby it had the more Maiestie, not bycause the Sanctu∣arie of it selfe was of more worthinesse than o∣ther places; but bicause God had ordained it to y^t vse, and that it was his pleasure that it shoulde be as a pledge, & a visible signe of his presence.

This matter hath bin alreadie treated of hereto∣fore: & therfore we need not to stand vpō it any long whyle▪ neuerthelesse it is requisite to haue y^e remembrance there of briefely renewed vnto vs. Men of their owne nature bee so dull, that they can neither attaine nor indeuour to attayne vn∣to GOD vnlesse they haue some helpes. As for vs, wee haue not nowe the figures and shadowes which the fathers had vnder the law. For GOD hath nowe reueyled himselfe vn∣to [ 10] vs more familiarly in the person of our Lord Iesus Christ, who is his liuely Image: but vn∣der the lawe, it was necessarie that the fathers shoulde haue the figures to aide them, to the intent they might bee confirmed in the fayth. And when they came to the Sanctuarie or the Tabernacle, it was a kind of offering themselues before the face of God. There were no Ima∣ges nor Puppets: for it was not their fashion to haue anie such remembrance of God, as the Pa∣pistes [ 20] doe imagine; but there were the ten com∣maundementes, which were laide vp there, and God woulde that his maiestie shoulde bee loo∣ked vppon in his worde. And Moses giueth ex∣presse commaundement, that the booke of the lawe which he had written, shoulde bee laide there in the side of the Chest of the couenaunt. And to what ende? As if God shoulde say, Here is my Testimonie, you must not receyue this doctrine as if it were framed after the deuice of [ 30] man: ye must hold it as a thing that comes from mee: for you haue a visible token thereof. Nowe then we see whereunto this ceremonie of y^e put∣ting vp of the booke of the lawe into the Chest of the couenaunt did serue: It was all one as if God had protested that hee auowed it to be his owne, and that Moses had no further to do with it than onely that hee serued him as his mini∣ster.

Here we see yet againe that which we haue [ 40] declared alreadie: namely, that God calleth vs altogether to himselfe, and that hee would not haue drawen vs away one way or other to haue regarde vnto men: for so shoulde our faith bee alwayes wauering, and there woulde be no stay. It is his will that wee shoulde haue our eye vppon him alone, to yeelde our selues to his obedience. And therefore let vs learne to betake vs wholie to our God, if wee meane to haue a true and holie vnion in the Church. The [ 50] Papists do prate much of the Catholike church, and of the agreement that ought to bee there∣in: Yea, but in the meane while there is horri∣ble diuision and hellish confusion among them, because God beareth not rule there by his word, neither is there any allowable doctrine, but they be tossed too and fro: I meane not the common sort onely, but euen them also which make the articles of fayth and frame commandements & traditions at their owne pleasure, whereof they [ 60] haue hoorded and heaped so manie one vpō an other, that they can scarsly wel tel who is the re∣porter of this or that, or who is the inuenter thereof, or who was the first maker of such an order or of such a tradition. Thus yee see how all thinges goe to confusion and disorder, when men direct not themselues by the pure doctrine of GOD. And therefore let vs marke, that when our Lorde willed that the booke of the law shoulde be put vp in the Sanctuarie: it was as it were his Royal seate where he sate himselfe, & where hee woulde bee honoured. And there∣by hee shewed in effect, that hee woulde not haue his Church to be gouerned after the plea∣sure or liking of men: but meant to holde it in awe, and that his onely worde shoulde bee re∣ceiued, so as men should looke onely vnto him, and be gathered together there. But now that wee haue our Lorde Iesus Christ for our heade, and that he is appointed our Shepeheard, and telleth vs that if wee bee his sheepe, wee must not onely heare his voyce, but also discerne it from the voyce of straungers: I pray you shall there be anie excuse, if we be so wauering in the aire, as we see the Papistes are, following euery man his owne deuice, or else busying themselues about the Traditions of men? Therefore let vs learne to submitte our selues vnto God and vn∣to him whome he hath set vp in his behalfe to be our onelie gouernour: Also let vs learne to heare the lawe and the Gospell in such wise, as wee may quake at the Maiestie of our God: and let vs come with such reuerence and humilitie to the hearing of the doctrine that is deliue∣red out of it, as wee may not in anie wise replie against it, nor bring thither anie one droppe of our owne wisedome, to say, I think it not meete; to what purpose is this spoken? But let vs with∣out gaynesaying, receiue all that euer our Lord declareth vnto vs. Thus much for one point.

And moreouer let vs so sticke to him, as our faith be not tossed to and fro. When wee see di∣uersitie of opinions, and that to aduaunce them∣selues men doe through ambition vndertake great matters; let not that carie vs away; but let vs continue still resolued that there is none but GOD alone that will teach vs [aright,] & that hee hath doone it by his lawe, and lastlie by the Gospell, insomuch that our Lorde Iesus Christ is appointed by him to be our Teacher, and we haue expresse commaundement to heare him, This is my welbeloued sonne, heare him. By the which point he doeth men to vnderstande, that he will haue them to sticke vnto his doctrine and to be obedient to the same.

Moreouer it is saide, That the law shall bee laide vp there far a Testimonie against the people of Israell. It shoulde seeme at the first shewe, that the law serueth but to condemne men: but I haue al∣readie declared yesterday, that it is saide so as in respect of folkes frowardnesse which will not be taught but by compulsion. True it is that this hardenesse is to bee founde in all men: for by nature wee are hardlie brought in order, we bee combersome, the wilde beastes doe not easilie become gentle, no•• suffer themselues to bee ta∣med at our hands▪ but yet there is not so wild a beast to bee founde in the worlde as euerie man is, vntill our Lorde haue subdued the stub∣bornesse that is in vs, and giuen vs the Spirite of meekenesse; and therefore our Lorde is faine

to speake vnto vs, and as it were to enter an a∣ction to reprooue vs. In respect whereof it is saide, that the spirite shall iudge the worlde. There our Lorde Iesus Christ treateth of the Gospell, and sheweth to what ende it shall be preached. I will (saith hee) sende foorth my doctrine, and to what ende? To iudge the world. Yea but the Gospell is a message of grace and fatherly louing kindnesse. God doth heere offer vnto vs his heart, and telleth vs that hee requi∣reth [ 10] nothing, but to bring vs to saluation: and wherefore then speaketh hee of condemna∣tion? It is impossible for him to bring vs to salua∣tion, vnlesse we bee first condemned. Therefore it behooueth vs at the first entrie to be inforced to submit our selues vnto God: for vntill he hath made that chaunge in vs, wee will neuer yeelde to bee gouerned by him. Yet notwithstanding our Lorde so worketh in his elect, y^t after he hath humbled them, they suffer themselues to be led [ 20] without any more resistance; insomuch y^t their whole pleasure and ioy is to bee subiect to God, and to frame themselues altogether after his will. The others be so rebellious, that our Lord is faine to vse continuall roughnesse and sharp∣nes against them. True it is that euen the faith∣ful haue alwayes in them some kind of striuing, so as they bee neuer so throughly reformed but that there is euer some replying. Yet not∣withstanding, as manie as are gouerned by the [ 30] Spirite of God (as all his children bee) shall cheefely haue their whole desire and affection to bee altogether subiect vnto God, and to doe nothing vppon their owne heade or after their owne liking. As for the others which be not re∣formed, it is requisite that God shoulde alwaies stande in lawe against them, and vse rigour to their condemnation. For this cause it is saide here, that the booke of the lawe shoulde bee a witnesse against the people. Moses meaneth [ 40] not but there shoulde bee some, that should pro∣fite by the law, so as the doctrine thereof should not be a warrant vnto them of Gods goodnesse to guide thē to the hope of euerlasting life: but he treateth here of the greatest sort which was wicked and froward. And y^e scripture vseth such a maner of speech, when a people is for the most part wicked, saying, All of you. Although our Lorde knowe his owne people, and separateth them from the rest: yet forbeareth he not, to say, [ 50] You•• as though hee spake generally without ex∣ception. Let vs marke then, that the lawe was laid vp for a Testimonie against the people: not because it doeth not conteine a witnesse of the loue of God for mens welfare: but because of y^e peoples malice, who could not finde in their heartes to fare the better thereby, but turned the light into darkenesse, and conuerted their breade and meate into poison, and altered life into death. Also we ought to thinke vppon this [ 60] which Paul speaketh, namely that the lawe is a minister of death: but he speaketh there but of y^e commandements: whereas here Moses compre∣hendeth all the couenaunt that God had made, euen the couenant of the Gospel, concerning the which we haue seene herebefore how Saint Paul saide, that the same perteineth not to the lawe: namelie: The word is in thy mouth and in thy heart. Also I haue tolde you, and wee haue had sufficient proofe therof, that Moses was not onely a minister of the law, but also did set forth the free promises of saluatiō which were groun∣ded in our Lord Iesus Christ. And now he doth briefely comprehende all that in a summe. Neuertheles he forbeareth not to say, that the lawe shall be a witnesse against the people. And why? As I saide afore, it commeth not of the nature of the lawe, that is to say of the doctrine; but of y^e malice of that people, which could not abide, that God should be their father and Saui∣our. Now then, the thing which is here protested of the lawe, perteyneth to the Gospel: to witte, that when the Gospell is preached, if wee accept the message which is offered vnto vs, wee haue GOD for our father, we bee assured of his free adoption, and we may freely cal vpon him in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ. Thus ye see howe wee ought to be rauished with ioy, when God sheweth himselfe so good and grati∣ous towardes vs. Neuerthelater, if we despise so great a benefite, or abuse it as the hypocrites do, or if we be skorners of God, or loose liuers; or if we be so wedded to this present worlde, that the heauenly inheritance seemeth nothing vnto vs: God wil holde skorne of vs also, and moreouer there shal not one onely word be spoken, which shal not ask vengeance against vs at the last day: God will haue infinite witnesses. Looke how ma∣nie sermons haue beene made, looke howe ma∣nie lectures haue beene reade, and looke howe manie bookes haue beene printed: and they shal al be witnesses to condemme vs as guiltie, and to make vs inexcusable before God. Although then y^t this ceremonie of hauing a booke laid vp as it were in the presence of God, be not now obser∣ued: yet notwithstanding seeing we haue God with vs in the person of our Lord Iesus Christ, and that Iesus Christ hath receiued and auowed vs for his Church, and also authorised his Gospel according as we perceiue by this saying of his, He y^t heareth you, heareth me, and he y^t refuseth you refuseth me; Seeing (say I) y^t we be at this point; there nedeth none other proces to bee framed against vs. Let vs looke therfore that we withall reuerence and feare receiue the doctrine which is deliuered vnto vs in the name of our God, to the end wee bee not iudged and condemned thereby at the last day. According whereunto our Lord Iesus Christ threatneth the Iewes in an other place, saying: It is not I that will con∣demne you, but the word which you haue heard at my mouth shall be your iudge. So then, let vs take heed while our Lord allureth vs vnto him gently, and let vs goe to him: and let our whole seeking be to put ourselues as sheepe vnder the guiding of our sheepherd: and then shal not the worde be a witnesse against vs, nor serue to con∣demne vs: but much rather we shal haue in y^e law a certaine Pawne of our saluation: and we shall see in the ende, that it is not a vayne doctrine. Wee see yet better by that which followeth, that the malice and rebellion of the people was

the cause why Moses vsed such seueritie. For it is saide that he was verie mield and gentle: and yet howe speaketh he? What maner of speech doeth he vse? I haue knowen you of long time to be very hardhearted and stubborne, and at this day, I perceiue not that you bee any whit amended; nay ye bee rather waxen worse and worse: ye bee become wilde beastes, euermore rebelling against GOD, and howe much more then will ye do so after my death? As if he should [ 10] say, I knowe you to be such as wil neuer be good. And nowe must I haue recourse to heauen and earth: for I find no sufficient witnes among you: I must call the senselesse creatures, to shewe that the heauens and the earth, albeit they haue nei∣ther reason nor vnderstanding, shal appeare be∣fore GOD to crie for vengeance against you. In speaking after this maner, Moses might seem to bee the sharpest, the roughest, and the cholo∣rickest man y^t euer was: and that was against his [ 20] nature. But what? Hereby wee doe so much the better perceiue, that the people were in maner vnreformable and past hope of recouerie, and that there was none other way to deale with thē but after such a fashion. And indeede, if wee compare Moses with God, what is al the mield∣nesse that may bee in a mortall man in respect of the fountaine of all goodnes? For albeit that Moses was of a meeke spirit, so as there was no∣thing in him but meekenes, and that he was as [ 30] mielde as the scripture speaketh: yet notwith∣standing, all the goodnesse which he could haue was but a little droppe of that which GOD had shed out vppon him by his holy spirite. In GOD we finde all perfection of goodnes: yet doe we see howe sharpe and rough he is against men. And whence commeth that, but of our greeuing of him? Insomuch that hee is faine (as ye woulde say,) to transforme himselfe, because we cannot finde in our heartes to suffer him to [ 40] behaue himselfe towardes vs, as hee woulde in following his goodnes, which is infinite and vn∣measurable in him. So then, we see that the fro∣wardnes of the people of Israel was horrible, seeing that GOD and his seruant Moses, (who bare the marke of the goodnes and meekenesse of his holy spirite) were driuen to behaue them∣selues so roughlie. And hereof wee may gather, that when GOD chose that people, it was not (as we haue alreadie saide herebefore) either for [ 50] desert or worthinesse that hee founde in them. And indeed Moses casteth it in their teeth [say∣ing;] Shoulde you thinke that GOD is bound to you? If he haue aduanced you aboue al other nations, & giuen you anie dignitie or excellen∣cie: should you therefore boast your selfe there∣of? Nay you be a stiffe necked people, which cannot bowe; you be (saith he) rebellious and froward, and therefore it is to bee concluded, that God was not mooued to choose you, but of his owne [ 60] goodnesse.

Nowe that we haue found such frowardnes in the people of Israel; let vs repaire to ourselues: for the meaning of God is to teach vs at other folkes cost. They which be deade so long while since, be at this day set as it were on a stage, God putteth them to reproch, that they might serue for an instruction to vs. We heare that the peo∣ple of Israel were froward & stubborne, and we see how God condemneth them, & discouereth their shame. To what ende? For our good & for our learning. Now then, seeing that the childrē of Israel be put to shame here after such a sorte, let vs learne to examine well whether there bee the like faultes in vs: and surelie when we haue serched all thinges throughly, we shall find that we be no lesse faultie than they. For where is the readinesse to serue our God when hee cal∣leth vs? Wee be so slowe and so rechlesse, as is pitie to see. Neither is there onely slownes and slackenesse in vs: but also wee cease not to kicke against him. Howe manie wicked fansies haue wee, which turne vs away from the sim∣plicitie of faith? Howe much are wee tempted of our wicked lustes, which serue to make vs to kicke against our God? How bee wee held down in this present worlde, whereas wee shoulde mount vp vnto heauen? Howe doe wee breake all manner of order which our Lorde hath set amongest vs for our welfare? And albeit that for a time, wee pretende some good desire and inclination: yet it lasteth not, wee bee chan∣ged from it with the turning of a hande, so as we be caried nowe this way, nowe that way, & euerie little ouerthwart is enough to make vs mislike of Gods worde. And haue we once con∣ceiued such misliking, in the ende wee become like venemous Todes against God: and wee see so manie examples thereof as is horrible. Nowe therefore, when wee haue well looked into our state, wee shall bee constrained to confesse that we be no better than this people. Wherefore let vs beware that the worde of God which is preached, be not a Testimonie against vs at this day. Yea and let vs not thinke it straunge, though God reprooue vs sharpelie, and send vs such rebukes as he did to the Iewes: neither let vs say, with such, as settle themselues in their filthinesse, Howe nowe? God pincheth vs too harde. Alas wee had neede to bee called vppon a hundred foolde more than we bee. What must we then doe? We must be more quiet towardes our God than we haue beene; specially when he vseth roughnesse in his worde, and that our sins bee laide open, so as our shame bee discouered: and that on the otherside he threateneth vs, & summon vs before him, and lay there before vs the condemnation that is prepared for vs, vnles wee returne vnto him by repentaunce. There∣fore whensoeuer hee vseth such vehemencie, we must not kicke against him, but wee must ac∣knowledge the same to be more than needefull for vs, because that if hee helde vs not short af∣ter that maner, he could neuer weeld vs. Thus yee see what we haue to remember, in that we see Moses to haue been so vehement, as to haue vsed the tearmes of rebellion and malice, and to haue tolde the people that if they had beene stubborne in his life time, they woulde much more bee so after his decease. When we see all this, let vs vnderstande that our Lorde tea∣cheth vs, that we haue neede to be subdued af∣ter

that manner; for what were to bee wonne at our handes, by vsing gentlenesse towardes vs? The matter is apparaunt. True it is that God allureth vs so gently, that hee may seeme to flatter vs as a father doeth his children: but if hee continue in so doing, wee fall to making heade against him, and to setting vp of our bri∣stles, and finally to dashing at him with our hornes: and to spurning and kicking at him, so as it woulde pitie ones hearte to see it. Foras∣much [ 10] therefore as our Lorde knoweth that he coulde not holde vs in obedience, but by such threateninges, rebukinges, and rigour: he fashi∣oneth himself to our nature, to the intent to sub∣due the stubbornesse that is in vs. Thus ye see still what wee haue to remember vppon that place.

Nowe it is saide herewithall, That Moses wil∣led the People to bee assembled together, euen of pur∣pose to call Heauen and earth to witnesse against them. [ 20] Howbeit, forasmuch as this hath beene ex∣pounded once alreadie; I will not stande vpon it anie more. Onely this shall suffice, that to make the people the more ashamed, Moses calleth the heauens and the earth to witnesse, which are vnreasonable creatures. As if he shold say, needes must these bee detestable people: for it is an vtter peruerting of the order of na∣ture, when men which are created after the i∣mage of God vse neither wit not reason, but be∣come [ 30] blockishe; insomuch that if God speake to them it is but lost labour, and hee is fayne to haue recourse to the creatures which are voide of vnderstanding, as to heauen and earth. Here therefore Moses meant to touch the children of Israell to the quicke, in saying that hee called heauen and earth agayne to wit∣nesse which are creatures euen without sense, to the ende they shoulde the better know what a brutishenesse it was that they would not giue [ 40] eare vnto GOD, who notwithstanding had not onely printed his image in them inasmuch as they were men; but also had chosen them for his people, and giuen them his lawe to leade them a right. Nowe, although this thing bee to bee counted as a monstrous and ouglie thing: yet is it to bee seene in manner e∣uerie where. For God speaketh as well in these dayes, as hee did by Moses. Yea and hee hath shewed himselfe more familiarly to vs, in the [ 50] person of our Lorde Iesus Christ: and yet for all that, what manner of eares bring wee to the hearing of his worde? Wee be not onely deafe but also partlie madde, and partlie so blockishe that if wee were timberlogges, wee coulde not in a manner bee so ignoraunt as wee bee. Not without cause therefore is it rehearsed here a∣gaine, that Moses had recourse to heauen and earth, to the intent to make vs ashamed, be∣cause wee bee so possessed aforehande with our [ 60] wicked lustes, or with the vanities of this world, or with our owne blindnesse; that for all that euer GOD can say or speake vnto vs, hee cannot preuayle at all with vs. Yet notwith∣standing, it might seeme that this people had more modestie in them, than Moses speaketh of: For in the ende it is added that Moses sung this song, and put the people in minde of the thinges which they had seene alreadie, and moreouer threatened them that GOD woulde punishe them, telling them that although God did at that time set them in possession of the lande which hee had promised them; yet should they not abide anie long time in it, ere hee shoulde bee faine to driue them out againe, and all for their wickednesse. Doeth Moses say so? They heare him well enough. And it is a woonder to see howe this people are painted out in that song: for there all their leawd dea∣linges are discouered; and yet they replie not to it any more. For if a man shoulde speake to the people of Geneua noweadayes, as Mo∣ses spake to the people of Israell; and reproue folkes sinnes as they deserue, shoulde hee bee receyued? If a man shoulde lay foorth the leawde dealinges that reigne among vs, and tel vs of our contempt of GOD and his woorde, of our stubbornnesse and wicked practises, of our whoredome and loosenesse, and of such other like thinges: and not onely speake of the deedes that are doone nowe adayes, but al∣so shewe other thinges that haue beene com∣mitted; and not onely speake of actuall sinnes, but also say after this manner, Ye bee of such a nature as this, namely yee bee thankelesse towardes GOD, stubborne against him, full of crueltie, pride, malice, and al manner of ini∣quitie. If a man shoulde speake al these thinges, I pray you howe shoulde hee bee hearde? O, what murmuring woulde there bee? Nay it woulde passe murmuring: for men would gnash their teeth at it, and there woulde be no such patience in vs, as was in this people: for they coulde well enough endure Moses to tell them the thinges aforesayde. It is saide expressely, that hee rehearsed all the saide song in the hearing of all the people. And there is is yea this saying added more, Throughout to the ende. And why was that? Hee coulde haue saide well enough, that Moses had rehearsed the song with a loud and cleare voyce, in the hea∣ring of the people: but hee sayth, that euerie whit of it was rehearsed in the eares of the people, euen from the beginning to the end∣ing. So then, his meaning is, that the peo∣ple stoode as dumbe, and yeelded themselues guiltie. And therefore sith wee see that not∣withstanding such silence, and such apparan∣cie of the feare of GOD and of godlinesse, yet GOD vttered so rough a sentence: wee must vnderstande, that it is not enough for vs to protest ceremoniously, that wee bee sub∣iect to GOD; Insomuch that although wee resorte to sermons, and haue our eares beaten continuallie with them, and call vppon GOD, and make profession of our faith; yet notwithstanding all this is nothing. In deede all these thinges are good and holy: but if we vse them in way of hypocrisie, cursed bee we, and we must not thinke to pay GOD with such kinde of Coyne. What is to bee doone then? When wee haue hearde Gods worde, let euery

of vs examine himselfe, let vs search out our sinnes, let vs be sorie to see that we be not so for∣warde as were requisite: and beeing prouoked hereby, let vs pray God to change and reforme vs, and to bring vs home wholy to himselfe. Af∣ter that manner must wee deale. And moreo∣uer, although wee haue had some order, and kinde of gouernment among vs for a time; yet let vs be afraid alwayes, least there haue beene some faynednesse lurking vnderneath it. For we [ 10] see what befell to the people of Israel: and in ve∣rie deede the thing shewes it selfe. For wee see that by startes they submitted themselues, and there seemed to bee some feare of God in them. And yet as soone as any occasion was offered, as soone as anie wicked deceiuer stepped vp; by and by they were turned away againe. Exam∣ples hereof are to bee seene: and God graunt we see them no more. Yet ought they to warne vs, that if there bee anie forme of good gouern∣ment [ 20] or behauiour among vs▪ so as the Church seemeth to be in good state, and religion to flo∣rishe, and God to bee honoured: the sight of all this must not make vs to thinke that that is all which we haue to do, as though a great number of vices lay not lurking vnderneath it: but wee must pray God to vouchsafe to make this gouern¦ment to bee of such force, as it may drawe our heartes vnto him, and euerie of vs may haue an eye to himselfe; that when wee once knowe throughly the euill that is in vs, we may seeke to God to rid vs thereof: that where as wee haue beene stubborne, and hardhearted aforetimes, we may no more followe that trade, but come and submitte our selues with all meekenesse and mieldnes to our God, so as he may rule vs with∣out any gainstriuing.

Nowe let vs fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God with acknowledgement of our sinnes, praying him to vouchsafe to burie them quite and cleane, and therewithall to receiue vs so into his protection, as we may fight against al the lustes of our fleshe, and the temptations of the worlde, vntill wee haue finished our course: And that because wee be so frayle of our selues, wee may alwayes resort vnto him, euen vpon trust of the promises which hee hath made vs, specially in that hee hath promised to heare vs in all our petitions which wee make to him in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ. And so let vs all say, Almightie God heauenlie father, &c.

Notes

• 〈…〉〈…〉 10
• Deut. 30.
• Psal. 9••.11.
• 2. Cor. 1.24.
• Deut. 34.1••
• 〈…〉〈…〉15.
• Iohn. 10.42 & 5.27.
• Matt. 3.17.
• Iohn. 16.8.
• 2. Cor. 3.7.
• Deut. 30.•• Rom. 1••••••.
• Luk. 2••.1••••
• Iohn. 〈…〉〈…〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 12.3.