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 Thursday the xviii of Iune, 1556. The CLXXXIX. Sermon which is the twelfth vpon the two & thirtith Chapter.

44 Then went Moses, and rehearsed all the words of this song in the eares of the people, he and Hosea the sonne of Nun.

45 And when Moses had made an end of speaking all these wordes:

46 He sayd vnto them: set your mindes vpon all these wordes, which I pro∣test against you this day: commaund you your children to keepe them, and to do all the wordes of this lawe.

47 For it is no vayne worde towards you: but it is your life. And by this word you shall prolong your dayes in the land whereinto yee goe ouer Iordan to possesse it.

I Haue told you heretofore how it was no very pleasant thing to the children of Israel, to heare y^e contentes of this song which I haue expounded. For therein God accuseth them to haue bin vnthankfull to him from the beginning: inso∣much that whereas he had vttered all the trea∣sures of his goodnes towardes them; they had [ 30] abused the same most wickedly, and bin vnfaith∣full to him, and that, not for once and away, but by shewing themselues alwayes vnreformable. Now, this might well haue greeued them: but yet was Moses faine to shewe them the will of God. And so we see that they which are set in office to teach the people, must not sooth them vp nor seeke to please them, according to the saying of S. Paul that men shall haue itching [ 40] eares,* 1.1 desirous to bee fed with winde: but they whom God hath placed in the office of Shep∣heardes, must not bend themselues that way. Although then we see men spiteful against Gods word, and to conceiue an vtter mislyking of the thinges which we bee commaunded to declare vnto them: yet must we follow our commission, and discharge our selues faithfully of our due∣ties. For although men lyke not to be reproued: yet is it for their benefite neuerthelesse. As for [ 50] example, a sicke person will perchance refuse a medicine: but yet must he receiue it, for it is for his health. Lykewise although the people of Is∣raell were stubborne: yet notwithstanding they did patiently abide this doctrine which was rough and hard, as we see. And hereby wee be done to vnderstand, that if we cannot abide that God should blame vs for our sinnes, & reproue vs sharply when we haue deserued it; we be wors than those to whom God hath spoken hereto∣fore. [ 60] Now God calleth them a cursed and fro∣ward generation: and what shall then become of vs? So then, if wee be not plyable to submit our selues to God willingly, at leastwise when we haue done amisse; Or if he finde such froward∣nes in vs that wee haue neede to bee handled roughly: let vs beare it with all mieldenesse and meekenesse. Thus much concerning that poynt where it is reported that Moses spake or vttered all the wordes of the song in the hearing of the people.

Now here is yet thus much more, that there∣in wee may see howe God spake by the mouth of Moses. For it had not bin possible for that do∣ctrine to haue bin retained, except the maie∣stie of God had matched with it. Had a mortall man handled the people as Moses did, vnautho∣rised from aboue: surely it had bin the next way to haue raysed a great sedition against him. Therefore it behooued God to shew that he had giuen power to Moses, and that he held the peo∣ple in awe. And that serued to shewe that the Lawe was not coyned here beneath: but that God was the very author thereof, and there∣fore is to bee receiued with such reuerence as is due to thinges that proceede from him. That is an other thing which wee haue to remember vppon this text.

Hauing rehearsed the song, now he addeth an exhortation. Set yee your mindes (saith he) vp∣pon all the wordes of this Lawe. Here he sheweth to what purpose and intent Gods will was to haue the sayd song published: namely; that the people might know their owne naughtinesse, wherein they had continued a long time, and be reclay∣med from it, and learne to mislyke of their stub∣bornnes, and thereupon to meeken their hartes that they might liue in obedience to God. And this belongeth vnto vs, as whereof we may ga∣ther a generall rule: which is, that whensoeuer our Lorde entereth so into protestation & plea∣ding against vs, discouering our vices and be∣wraying the corruption that is in vs: it is to the end to drawe vs to repentance, that knowing in what plight we be, we should humble our selues, and therewithall bee more ready to receiue the worde of God, that whereas we were hard∣hearted and full of venim before, so as there was no entring into vs to be found: our hearts might be disposed both to heare & to beleeue his say∣inges, and to bee obedient to him in all cases.

The end (say I) whereunto all the rebukes which God giueth vs, in exhorting and quickening of vs vp, ought to serue to make vs the better dis∣posed to heare his worde, because he seeth that naturally wee would rather goe backeward than foreward. This thing is declared heere expresly by Moses, who hauing finished his song, sayeth, Set your hearts vpon all the words of this lawe. Nowe the maner of speech which he vseth, betokeneth that they should be attentiue or giue good eare. [ 10] And not without cause: according to his former discourse, where he sayth that he wakeneth men after that fashion. For wee see what negligence is in vs. Although wee pretend some zeale of profiting in Gods schoole: yet notwithstanding the doctrine is no sooner preached, but that not onely the one halfe of it, but also the most part of it slippeth from vs: in so much that euen they that haue profited best, doe scarsely beare away the thirde part: and some others scarce one [ 20] word. To be short, wee bee so light headed, that our wittes are continually rouing here & there, and we be at no stay to apply our selues wholly to the doctrine which is preached vnto vs in the name of God. But although wee vnderstand the thinges that are spoken, and can say them by heart: yet are not our heartes and affections e∣uer the more giuen vnto them. Therefore wee must not thinke it ynough for vs to bee able to talke of it: but wee must haue an inward harke∣ning [ 30] vnto God, and euerie of vs must talke of it to himselfe, cheawing as it were his cudde, that is to say, musing vpon it in his minde by himself, as if he shoulde say; It standeth mee in hand to marke this wel: but whereas we should indeuour after that manner to print the things in our me∣morie which haue bin taught vs in the name of God: we let it all slip away. For as much then as wee see such fault in our selues: wee ought to marke this text the better where it is sayde; Set [ 40] your heartes thereon. As if Moses should say that Gods word requireth a singular affection, so as if we will vnderstand it well, wee must not heare it as some other thing of another mans telling: for it is a kinde of wisedome that surmounteth all our wittes. Therefore it standeth men in hand to straine themselues in this behalfe: but on the contrarie part we see the coldnesse that is in vs, in so much that when we haue once tasted a lit∣tle thereof, wee passe not any more for it. Come [ 50] wee to the hearing of Gods woorde? Doe wee reade it alone by our selues? Then let this war∣ning alwayes stand before our eyes, that Gods woord is worthie to be receiued with such reue∣rence, as we should lift vp our minds on high & labour and indeuour to rid our selues of al things that may hinder vs from giuing our selues who∣ly thereunto. Thus ye see what Moses meant by this speech of se••ting their heartes.

And he speaketh not of some one part alone, [ 60] but of All the woordes of the Lawe. Whereby hee doeth vs to vnderstand, that we must not so part stakes with God, as to perfourme some one say∣ing slightly, and to let the rest alone: but that wee must doe our indeuour in all cases, to bee throughly learned in all the thinges which our Lord knoweth to be auailable to our saluation. For it is certaine that there neuer scaped any superfluous word out of the mouth of God. Wee must not thinke that Gods speaking is after the maner of men, who to attaine to some one good sentence, doe vse many fetches about and many interminglings: so that if one good saying be re∣hearsed▪ a man must let passe three or foure o∣ther for it. But as I sayd afore, Gods speaking is in such wise, that all is profitable euen to the last word. And therefore not without cause doth Moses heere exhort the people of Israel to set their heartes vpon all the woordes of the Lawe. True it is that wee can neuer haue the full vn∣derstanding of Gods worde, but wee shall haue doone much when wee haue knowen some part of it.* 1.2 And wee heare what Saint Paule sayeth, who comprehendeth himselfe also in the num∣ber of those which see and knowe but onely in part, vntill wee may behold Gods glory face to face. But yet must wee receiue all, euen to yeeld our selues obedient to God without exception, so as wee may bee quiet in all thinges which he speaketh vnto vs. Then let vs not doe as many folke doe, which receiue Gods worde alonely so farre foorth as it is to their owne liking, and as for the rest they let it alone. There are other some which beate their braynes about some one point, because their minde inclineth that way; and as for all the residue, they thinke it belon∣geth nothing to them. But let vs pray God to graunt vs the grace, that when wee once knowe any one peece of his will, wee may continually growe more and more in vnderstanding, and that wee perceiue (as sayeth Saint Paul) that all scripture is profitable.* 1.3 For he sayeth not that there wee shall finde wherewith to edifie our selues: but he sayeth that it is profitable to all thinges, so as there is there not only some thing that may doe vs good: but also that if we search throughout the things which our Lorde decla∣reth there, wee shall finde from the very begin∣ning, that nothing is set downe there without cause, but that GOD had alwayes a regard to giue vs good instruction in all thinges which he hath spoken. And so ye see to what purpose Mo∣ses exhorteth heere the people to set their mindes vpon all these wordes.

But nowe if wee consider howe many thinges there are to drawe vs away from it, and to thrust vs out of the way, yea and to pluck vs backe that we might not profite in Gods woorde: it may well teache vs further, howe greatly wee ought to straine our selues to bee quiet and peaceable, that our Lorde may bee heard, and wee giue heede to the thinges which hee vouchsafeth to teache vs. Howebeit we bee farre off from such perfection. For hardly can a man abyde stead∣fast one minute of an houre, without the com∣ming of some toy in his head to turne him away. A hundred of them will come vnto vs in one houre: and how many moe then in a whole day? Yea and sometimes the conceite of our foolishe imaginations doth so cary vs away; that we wote not where we be. But beholde, our Lorde God woulde fayne assure vs of his sayinges: there is

such a couenant passed betweene him & vs, that it is not heard for vs to hearken vnto him; inso∣much that if we will giue care vnto him, we shall finde that his doctrine is not vnprofitable to vs. And ought not this to prouoke vs to fight against all such imaginations as trouble our mindes and make vs to wander away? Yes: and so wee see how greatly this exhortation ought to preuaile with vs, considering that we be so fickle minded and lightheaded, as experience proueth. [ 10]

Nowe after this, Moses sayeth that the people must commaund their children. Heerein it is shewed vs, that it is not ynough for vs to profite euery man himselfe in Gods schoole: but that when we our selues haue learned, we must also indeuer to bring others into the right way of saluation; specially wee to whom God hath committed the charge of such as want learning and instruction. As for example; fathers and mothers shall yeeld an account for their Children, bicause God gi∣ueth [ 20] them with this condition, that they shall be brought vp in his feare. Lykewise Maysters and Mistresses haue to aunswere for their men∣seruauntes and womenseruauntes; and if they ••ay the brydle in their neckes, they must not thinke that our Lorde will let their negligence scape vnpunished. Therefore let vs take war∣ning by this text, that such as haue children must haue a care to teache them, and to make it kno∣wen that God is the father of all their whole of∣spring, [ 30] if they themselues wilbe taken to bee the children of God. Lykewise they that haue men∣seruauntes and maideseruauntes must vnder∣stand that their house must bee so dedicated to the seruing of God, as he may haue all souerainty in the same. After that maner ought we to take paines in the behalfe of those which are com∣mitted to our charge. For the more we see that the world fayleth in that behalfe, the more care∣full ought wee to bee to doe our duetie therein. [ 40] For it wil bee no excuse for vs to alleage y^t it was a common vice, but it will rather turne to our sorer condemnation, bycause one corrupteth and marreth another. Nowe then, let vs learne to haue the zeale that is commaunded vs here; namely that where God hath graunted vs the grace to be drawen to y^e knowledge of his truth; then to consider, that we must also indeuour to make all other men partakers thereof, that after our death Gods word may haue his course still, [ 50] and not be buried with vs. For wee bee mortall creatures, and as touching this world we doe but passe away, and that very swiftly. But we knowe that Gods truth indureth for euer:* 1.4 and there∣fore wee must so deale as that Gods woorde may continue and bee knowen, and bee receiued of men from hand to hand, euen after that wee be departed out of this worlde. And those which haue any charge ought to bende themselues cheefely heereunto, according to this saying of [ 60] Saint Peter concerning the same matter. I will cause you (sayeth he) to haue a remembraunce of my doctrine after that God shall haue taken mee out of this worlde.* 1.5 Although I liue not to speake to you any more with my mouth; yet to discharge my duetie, I must so deale y^t when my mouth shalbe shut and I shalbe no more conuer∣sant with you heere belowe to teach you, yet the same doctrine which I haue brought vnto you may haue his course still, so as you may keepe it to your benefite and edification. For although fathers and mothers bee bounde to teache their children, and maisters and mistresses to teache those that are vnder them, and likewise the mi∣nisters of Gods woorde according as the Lorde hath called them to speake in his name, are bounde to shewe the right way and to giue good example to other men: yet notwithstanding we ought all generally to indeuour that all folkes may hearken to God, and receiue his word, and that not for two or three dayes onely, but for e∣uer. Thus yee see to what purpose Moses hath saide heere, that Fathers must trayne vp their Children in all the woordes of the Lawe.

Nowe hee saieth consequently, To doe them and keepe them. Heere Moses repeateth that which hee had spoken afore: namely that our Lordes speaking vnto vs, is not to the end wee shoulde alowe of his sayinges, and confesse the same to bee true, rightfull, and iust: but to trye our obedience. Gods word then must reforme our lyfe: for to that end and purpose is it spoken vnto vs. Neuerthelesse, wee see howe many a one doe thinke themselues well discharged when they haue but ducked downe with their heades, in token that they gainesaie it not. And they thinke GOD to bee beeholden to them if they blaspheme not his doctrine, and shewe not themselues to bee enemies to it, but confesse the same to bee good and holy, for they wilnot haue GOD to vrge them any fur∣ther. But that were too easie a market. For if GODS woorde were preached but onely to the ende it shoulde bee receiued and confes∣sed with the mouth: to what purpose shoulde it serue when in the meane while euerie man might take the brydle in his necke, and liue as though wee neuer had any rule of GOD? Were it not an vnhallowing and defiling of the holy thinges, and a disfeating of the po∣wer of GODS woorde? Let vs beare well in minde therefore, that if wee come hither to Sermons, and yet continue still lyke our selues, so as our lyfe bee not aunswerable to that which hath beene taught vs heere: wee shalbe dub∣ble to blame, bycause it is but a mocking and skorning of the doctrine of saluation, when wee let it slip away, and haue but our eares beaten with it, without any touching of our heartes or any reforming of our liues thereafter. What is to bee doone then? Wee must vnderstande that GODS woorde is not named a Garde without cause, for as much as men are lyke wretched beastes without discretion, vntill God haue shewed them howe they ought to walke. Yee see then that it is our Gard or de∣fence. And therefore if wee keepe Gods word, we also shalbe kept and garded thereby, and we shal haue our bonds certaine, so as we shal neuer erre while we liue: and moreouer we shall haue wisedome to iudge betweene good aud euill.

And that is the cause why Moses saith, Let your children keepe the woorde; and againe, let them ob∣serue it. True it is that wee can neither keepe Gods woord nor doe it; vntill hee haue written it in our heartes. But Moses presupposeth that God will shedde out his holy spirite vppon the people, so they shut not the doore against him, but bee readie to receiue the grace which our Lorde had promised them, as wee haue seene heretofore,* 1.6 where he sayth; Behold, the worde [ 10] is nygh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart. And not without cause doth Saint Paul say that this worde is the same which is preached in the Gospell,* 1.7 bycause Gods speaking there is not to make a noyse in our eares onely, but also to in∣graue the doctrine in our heartes by his holy spirit, which is brought vnto vs. So then let vs marke well, that whereas Moses treateth heere of the keeping of Gods worde, God also doeth bynde himselfe to his people, with condition [ 20] that hee will gouerne them by his holy spirite, and write his worde in their heartes: and more∣ouer when hee hath so touched them, hee will also be fauourable to them in bearing with their infirmities and in forgiuing their sinnes. And after that manner doe wee perfourme GODS woorde: not that wee can accomplish it and do it throughly: for wee bee so farre vnable to per∣fourme the lawe, that wee cannot so much as thinke one good thought.* 1.8 Nay rather wee drag [ 30] backe from that which God commaundeth vs: wee bee enemyes to all righteousnesse and vp∣right dealing. God therefore must bee fayne to bow vs, and to giue vs such teachablenesse as we may bee readie to heare his worde. And more∣ouer when hee hath graunted vs the grace to haue such zeale and affection, hee must also beare with vs in that we haue not done our in∣deuour to do the things which he hath appoin∣ted vs; & whereas we be disobedient, and there∣fore [ 40] hee might iustly punishe vs, yet notwith∣standing hee must bee faine to receiue vs to mercie, and to giue vs our pardon for our Lord Iesus Christes sake. And although the fathers of olde tyme had not so great and so euident teaching as we haue nowadayes by the Gospell: yet did they knowe that our Lorde had pro∣mised them both the grace of his holy spirite and also his mercie, to the forgiuing of thei•• sinnes. For the sacrifices which were offered in [ 50] those dayes, were not ordayned without cause. It was not a trifling matter, that the people came to the temple to offer sacrifices: but it was a sure president that God receyued them to mercie; in so much that when the bloud of any beast was there shed, it was a figure which ought to leade them vp to a higher thing. For there was alwayes a heauenly patterne which Moses had seene vppon the Mount.* 1.9 So then, let vs not thinke as the Papistes doe, that Moses vphol∣deth [ 60] heere the Freewill of men, of purpose, therewithall to set foorth their deseruinges, as though men coulde by their owne power and pollicie obtayne Paradise, and were able to serue GOD and to doe the commaundements of the Law: Moses went not that way to worke: but hee knewe what promyse had beene made to the people, and that all thinges tended to the Couenaunt which GOD had made with them, notwithstanding that the time of the full opening thereof was not yet come as it was promysed afterwarde by Ieremie,* 1.10 Esay, and all the rest of the Prophetes, where it is sayd that GOD woulde make a newe Couenaunt with his people, which was that hee woulde write his Lawe in their heartes, and chaunge their stony heartes into heartes of flesh. True it is that this belongeth to the Gospell: neuerthelesse, it was figured also vnder the Lawe, and the fa∣thers that liued in those dayes, had some taste thereof so farre as was expedient for them.

Nowe seeing that our Lorde hath nowa∣dayes multiplyed his grace towardes vs, and made our state more excellent than the state of them that liued vnder the Lawe: surely wee be lesse to bee excused than they, for it is certayne that it maketh our offences and disobedience the more heynous. Therefore let vs bethinke our selues, and let vs market well that seeing God doeth offer vs the liuing waters whereof Ezechiel speaketh,* 1.11 that is to say, seeing he shea∣deth foorth the giftes of his holy spirit to make vs to walke according to his will: wee must as∣sure our selues that if wee shut the gate against him, we shalbe much more worthy of blame than those which yet neuerthelesse were condemned vnder the lawe. And therefore let this waken vs, and make vs more willing to heare Gods word, to the end to keepe it, seeing he not one∣ly speaketh to vs by the mouthes of men, but al∣so prepareth vs to draw vs to him by the inward power of his holy spyrite, and on the other side spareth vs, and falleth not to examining of our liues with rigour, but accepteth our doo∣inges as a father doeth his childrens, notwith∣standing that there bee much infirmitie and many vices in vs. And to the ende this word may haue the more force, Moses sayeth that he not onely spake or vttered it, but also that he witnessed or protested it to the people, as wee haue seene afore. And not without cause doeth hee repeate it heere againe. For we be so lasie and shouthfull in receiuing Gods worde, as is pitie to see. Therefore it is requisite that there shoulde alwayes bee some protestation, to make vs thinke the better thereon.* 1.12 Hee sayde heereto∣fore, I call heauen and earth to witnesse a∣gainst you this day, that if the doctrine which I bring vnto you doe fall to the grounde, and that yee make no account thereof: the very Sunne and Moone and all other creatures shall cry out against you for vengeaunce of such con∣tempt and negligence.

So then he addeth now, God hath made mee a teacher, and I for my part will discharge my duetie, and that not with a colde and dead vtte∣raunce of the thinges which I haue receiued, but by protesting to you on Gods behalfe as though I were a publike notarie & had a proxie from him, assuring you that sith your God hath graunted you the grace to heare his word, if you

bee negligent in receiuing it, yee must make a dreadfull account for it. Hereby we bee warned to receiue Gods worde with such reuerence, as the Angels of heauen may bee witnesses of our fayth, zeale, and constancie. Let vs goe with o∣pen heartes and mindes lifted vp to God, that wee may bee taught by him. And if wee doe so, wee shall bee turned away from all the impedi∣mentes of the world, in so much that God shall no sooner haue spoken the word, but wee shall [ 10] bee agreed to yeeld to his teaching, and we shall not bee zealous for a small time onely, but when we haue once begun, wee shall holde out to the ende. For woe to vs if wee turne head in the middes of our way, and start aside when we haue begun well, so as the diuell may finde y^e meanes to leade vs astray. Alas, what shall it boote vs to haue beene come into a good trade? So then, let vs marke well this worde Witnesse, which is set downe here by Moses, to doe vs to vnderstand [ 20] that our Lorde speaketh not to vs to leaue our vnthankfulnesse vnpunished when wee haue de∣spised the thinges ••hat are tolde vs in his name, but that there shall be alwayes this solemne wit∣nessing or protestation▪ vnlesse we benefite our selues by his teaching of vs.

Now Moses addeth consequently, That the worde is not vaine towardes them. This peece of text is misunderstoode if it bee taken for an ex∣hortation. And yet for all that, it should seeme, [ 30] that Moses exhorteth the people, when he saith: Let not Gods woord bee vaine towardes you, beware that yee receiue it not as a thing of no price, nay rather consider what a Maiestie it hath, when God appeareth to men by his worde which is his liuely image. But in the Hebrewe tongue wherein the Prophet spake, it is thus: The worde shall not bee vaine towardes you. For so is it, worde for worde in the Text: when he sayeth, towardes you, he meaneth, that in respect of the [ 40] people, the word shall not bee in vaine. And this will well bee perceiued by the saying of Esay in his fiue and fiftith Chapter▪* 1.13 which text is misex∣pounded likewise. But the right expounding of the one will bee a key to open the right vnder∣standing of the other. It is sayd in Esay, my word shall not returne emptie vnto mee, but it shall yeeld his fruit there as I send it vnto. Some haue thought that our Lord meant there, that when∣soeuer his worde is preached, it shall not bee in [ 50] vaine, but that it shall yeelde profite by giuing fayth to the hearers. But the Prophet Esay ment not so by those wordes. What did he then? Hee confirmed or warranted Gods promises, to the intent that men should not doubt of the perfor∣mance of the thinges contained in them. As for example, God promiseth vs to prosper vs by his blessing, to take vs into his keeping, and to de∣fend vs against all the troubles and vexations of the world; so that if men persecute vs, he will bee [ 60] as our bucklar: if wee bee threatened and as∣saulted on all sides, he will bee our fortresse; in time of dearth he will haue a care to feede vs; a∣gainst all the assaultes of Satan, hee will gard vs by the power of his holy spirit: to be short, Gods promises are infinite. And yet for all that, wee bee so weake hearted, that we conceiue not what he saieth, but rather wee thinke that wee shall be disappointed if wee trust to his promises. There needeth not any thing to tosse vs too and fro, for to our seeming all Gods promises are but de∣ceites. For this cause he sayeth; No, like as the Raine falleth not in vaine, but moysteneth the earth, and the earth being moystened yeeldeth forth hir fruite, so as the raine hath as it were a secret vertue to giue nourishment to men: there∣fore like as yee see that in the order of nature, the raine ingendreth such a kinde of fruiteful∣nesse in the earth; so assure you your selues that my word shall not bee in vaine, but I will make it to yeelde profite, that is to say I will perfourme all my promises. Therefore bee bold to trust vn∣to mee, that I will performe and bring to passe al that euer I haue spoken by my Prophetes. So in this text Moses sayeth, The word shall not be voide towards you, that is to say, so you receiue it, thinke not that God will leaue you with your mouthes open like silly hungerstaruen folke, so as yee should hang lingering and not knowe what shall become of you: for your God will make you to feele by proofe that hee hath not promised you aught in vaine. Now, when our Lorde speaketh after that manner, shall wee cast doubtes yet stil, and stand scanning whether his sayings shall be performed or no? His worde shall not bee voyde to∣wardes you: that is to say, ye shall finde the effect thereof, and hold ye hardily vnto this, that God will worke with such force, as yee shall peceyue that when his worde is preached vnto you, it is as much as if he himselfe were present, to put the thing in proofe and execution, which hee hath declared. Thus wee see now the meaning of Moses, to the intent that the people shoulde take some tast of Gods word and receiue it with all reuerence. He telleth them that when God speaketh, it is not sound that vanisheth away in the aire: but that in that word lyeth and con∣sisteth all our happinesse and chiefe welfare, and that wee haue wherewith to content our selues, when our Lord vouchsafeth to direct his worde so vnto vs. For why? Wee shall not bee foaded with vaine hope; but we shall feele in deede how our Lorde meant to trie our faith in such wise for a time, as that he wil yet neuerthelesse performe all that euer he hath spoken.

Now Moses confirmeth this exhortation yet better, by this which he addeth: It is your life and your welfare by it shall your dayes be prolonged in the land which you goe to possesse. Hereby we may easi∣ly gather that Moses made not an exhortation to the people, [to shewe] that the woorde is not vaine: but rather that he made them a promise, that the woorde shoulde haue force and vertue continually as it were without interruption. It is your life sayeth he, and through the power there∣of shall you prolong your dayes. Hee sheweth then, that vntill such time as our Lorde had gi∣uen his Lawe to the people, they were as wret∣ched folke that wist not where to haue any rest, no more than all other men vppon the earth. True it is that Gods creating of vs and his set∣ting of vs in this world, is to the ende wee looke

at him, put our trust in him, and hope for al good thinges at his hand. But what? We be so earth∣ly, that we can by no meanes come nigh him. And indeede he is too farre off, and though wee thinke vpon him, yet vntill he giue vp his word and vtter his fatherly loue towardes vs, alas wee must needes euer tremble and bee abashed. Let vs marke well then, that we shal neuer haue any assurednesse, vntill our Lorde haue giuen it vs by his woorde. For our lyfe is but a lin∣gering, [ 10] wee bee turmoyled with continuall ••roubles and vnquietnesse, and (which more is) wee must needes finde GOD our deadly ene∣mie, vntill he haue taught vs by his word. And I pray you, can wee haue any sparke of lyfe, when we perceiue that God is against vs? Now surely men deceiue themselues if they weene to haue Gods fauour, vntill they be grounded and setled vppon his woorde. And therefore not [ 20] without cause doeth Moses say that the word is our life. For thereby wee bee doone to vnder∣stande howe wretched our state is, vntill our Lorde haue drawen vs to him, and communica∣ted himselfe to vs by meanes of his word.

Nowe when we once knowe that Gods word bringeth vs such benefites, to wit, that we knowe that God wilbe fauourable to vs, that he quic∣keneth vs, and that it sheweth vs wherein our ioy and felicitie consisteth: wee must knowe al∣so that it serueth vs for a Seale, & that our Lord [ 30] will haue vs to take it as a gage, as though the thing were done already. And therefore when∣soeuer God speaketh, let vs hold vs to him. For hee is no vnsaier as mortall men bee: hee is not free of promise, and a performer of nothing: therefore let vs boldly sticke to his word, and sith it is our life, let vs assure ourselues that it wil not deceiue vs, nor beguile vs if we trust vnto it. For why? It shall not returne void from vs: that is to say, when we haue once admitted it in, it wil take [ 40] such roote, as Gods power shall euer be at hande to vs, and God shall sooner renounce himselfe than not performe his promises. True it is; that we shal not see it out of hand: but yet must we be fully resolued thereof, and patiently tarry til y^e fit time be come for our lord to shew that he ment not to iest or to dally, in telling vs that he would be liberall vnto vs. Now sith it is so, let vs learne to be the more desirous to receiue Gods worde, in respect of the profite that it bringeth vs. For God thinketh it not ynough to shew vs the ma∣iestie that is in his word, to the intent we should be humbled to obey it: but his mind is also to al∣lure vs that we might be in loue with it. And to that ende doeth Moses speake it heare. He had magnified the word sufficiently heretofore, she∣wing that it proceedeth from God, and that hea∣uen and earth shall beare witnes against vs if we refuse it: but now he addeth another reason to induce men the better to heare God, yea and to heare him desirously, namely; that God will pro∣long their dayes in the land which they go to possesse, at leastwise if they suffer themselues to be taught by him. And why? For we be all poore silly soules without hope of saluation, if we continue in the state of al mākind. All the life which men weene thēselues to haue in this world, is but as a way to hell vntill God haue turned vs to the better, and haue taught vs what is saide in his woorde. As touching that which he addeth, saying, That they shall lengthen their daies when they bee passed ouer Iordan: I will treate thereof to morow if it please God.

Now let vs fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God with acknowledgement of our faultes, praying him to make vs so to feele them more and more, as wee may learne to turne a∣gaine vnto him, and make the great number of exhortations auailable which moue vs dayly so to doe: and that when he layeth before vs our sinnes and threatneth vs with his wrath, we may be so conuicted, as we may not continue harde∣ned in euill, but returne vnto him, and pray him to bee so gratious vnto vs, as not to suffer Satan to haue dominion ouer vs: but rather to make vs indeuour to reform ourselues in such sort, as that our hearing of his word may cause vs to amend and bring vs backe to him, and frame out whole life according to his will. That it may please him to graunt this grace, not onely to vs but also to all people and Nations of the earth, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2. Tim. 4.3.
• * 1.2

  1. Cor. 13.12
• * 1.3

  2. Tim. 3.16
• * 1.4

  Esa. 40.8.
• * 1.5

  2. Pet 1.15.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 30.14
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 10▪16.
• * 1.8

  •• Cor. 3.5.
• * 1.9

  Exod. 25.40 & Hebr. 8.5.
• * 1.10

  Esa. 61.1.23. Ier. 31.33. Ezec. 11.19. & 36.26.
• * 1.11

  Ezec. 36.25
• * 1.12

  De••c. 30.••9.
• * 1.13

  Isa. 55.10.