Deuteronomy 4

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord. He is the only God (Deuteronomy 4:39). Know therefore this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord he is God in Heaven above, and upon the Earth beneath there is none else.

Use 2. If God be a Spirit, then it shows the folly of the Papists, who worship him by pictures and images. Being a Spirit, we cannot make any image to represent him by (Deuteronomy 4:12). The Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire, you heard the voice of the words, but s…

By Egypt is meant a place of idolatry and superstition, by the House of Bondage is meant a place of affliction. Israel while they were in Egypt were under great tyranny, they had cruel task-masters set over them, who put them to hard labor, and set them to make brick, yet allowe…

Resp. That is, before my face, In conspectu meo, in my sight (Deuteronomy 27:15). Cursed be he that makes a graven image, and puts it in a secret place. Some would not bow to the idol that others might see, but they would secretly bow to it: but though this was out of man's sigh…

2. Nor the likeness of any thing, etc. All ideas, portraits, shapes, images of God, whether by effigies or pictures, are here forbidden (Deuteronomy 4:15). Take heed lest you corrupt yourselves, and make the similitude of any figure.

It is an honor to be employed in a king's service: and so to be employed in God's, by whom kings reign. To walk in God's commandments proclaims us to be wise (Deuteronomy 4:5-6). Behold I have taught you statutes: keep, therefore, and do them, for this is your wisdom.

Wherein do they teach lies? Because they represent God in a bodily shape, whereas he cannot be seen (Deuteronomy 4:12). You saw no similitude, only you heard a voice.

Response 1. If God be our Father then he will teach us; what Father will refuse to counsel his son? Does God command parents to instruct their children (Deuteronomy 4:10), and will not he instruct his? (Isaiah 48:17) I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit.

5. To excite our diligence, let us consider how inexcusable we shall be if we miss of the kingdom of Heaven, who have had such helps for Heaven as we have had: Indians who have mines of gold, have not such advantages for glory as we; they have the light of the sun, moon and star…

Let us be doers of the will of God; Your Will be done. 1. It is our wisdom to do God's will (Deuteronomy 4:6): Keep and do these statutes, for this is your wisdom. 2. It is our safety.

Which point the Creed avouches, in saying, I believe in God, not gods: and yet more plainly the Nicene Creed and the Creed of Athanasius, both of them explaining the words of the apostles' Creed on this manner, I believe in one God. However some in former times have erroneously…

The first forbids the making of carved or graven images; the second forbids the adoration of them. Now the first part is notably expounded by Moses in Deuteronomy 4:16: Take good heed unto yourselves that you corrupt not yourselves and make you a graven image or representation o…

Testimony 1. Deuteronomy 4:2: You shall not add to the words that I command you, nor take anything therefrom. Therefore the written word is sufficient for all doctrines pertaining to salvation.

But it must be understood of the images of the true God Jehovah — it forbids us to resemble God, either in his nature, properties, or works, or to use any resemblance of him for any sacred use, as to help the memory when we are about to worship God. Thus much the Holy Ghost, who…

So is it here in this matter of Christ's intercession; and therefore this second direction is, that you would study clearness in the grounds that you are to go upon in the use-making of his intercession, but you would not be curious in seeking satisfaction about the how or manne…

But then the question is, whether these means be the preaching of the Gospel, or of the same God revealed as Creator, by the Sun, Moon, and Stars, who is revealed in the Gospel, and salvation by him. Now the Sun, and Stars, and heaven declare the glory of God, and sound forth hi…

1. Observe, that there was a voice distinctly, and audibly, heard. Though God did sensibly now manifest his presence in the Mount with Christ, and did audibly speak to them, yet he did not appear in any distinct form, and shape either of man, or any other living creature, but al…

Or secondary, when the images themselves are not worshipped, as having any Godhead properly in themselves, but as they relate to represent, or are made use of in the worship of him who is accounted God; we shall find this done by the wiser heathens, worshipping their images, not…

And Paul bids Timothy, avoid them that teach otherwise, that is, any different doctrine as necessary to salvation, beside that which he taught (1 Timothy 6:3). And the reason of this sin, is: because God has given this commandment, We may not depart from his word, to the right h…

He knew them above all nations, says Amos (Amos 3:1). And he chose them, because he loved their fathers (Deuteronomy 4:37). Hence we gather, the free election of God: and that they are deceived, who think, that there was no difference of Jews and Gentiles in respect of God, but…

The second kind of Idolatrie, is to worship the true God with deuised worship, as namely with, in, and at Images, set vp to the honor of God. This Idolatrie is forbidden in the second commaundement, as Moses has expounded the law, Deut 4:16. You sawest no image in the day I appe…

So then it is justice with God to deal with sinners as they deal with him. And therefore the Lord is called (in respect of them) a devouring fire, by Moses (Deuteronomy 4:24). For the Prophets (as has been often said) borrow their phrases from him: and the Apostle (Hebrews 12:26…

But the holy Scripture is full of such sentences. Moses warns the people who were inclined to this vice, You saw no similitude nor shape (says he) in the mountain, only you heard a voice, take heed therefore lest being corrupted, you should make you any graven image (Deuteronomy…

Saint Paul calls it a secret hidden (Ephesians 3:9) from the foundations of the world, and is yet unknown to the very angels (1 Peter 1:12) further forth than it is manifested to them by the Church (Ephesians 3:10). Thus then, although the Jews were once the only wise people und…

And therefore the Prophet expressly says, My people: because they were separate from other nations by a singular privilege; to the end they being kept and guided under God, might hold a right manner of good life. As it is said in Deuteronomy 4:7, What nation is so great that has…

He comes by the preaching of his word, and by the sundry benefits which he bestows upon us: as also, by the many testimonies which he uses to manifest the fatherly love and good will he bears us. Was there ever any people, says Moses, that saw such signs and wonders as you have…

In his love he redeemed them.] The Prophet shows what the cause is from which these great benefits proceeded: namely, God's love and good pleasure. As Moses also teaches (Deuteronomy 4:37 and 7:7-8): From where is it that God has gathered your fathers, says he, but because he lo…

It deserves our attention, that the voice of God was heard from the cloud, but that neither a body nor a face was seen. Let us therefore remember the warning which Moses gives us, that God has no visible shape, lest we should deceive ourselves by imagining that He resembled a ma…

What is lawful and proper the Lord has comprehended under the ten words. Where the English version gives the words, ten commandments, the phrase in the original Hebrew is, עשרת הדברים, the ten words, (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; 10:4.) — Editor Now as it is possible that man…

For how comes it to pass, that profane men, and such as were strangers, should run to the light being shown them afar off, but the holy stock of Abraham should refuse the light being familiarly and plainly seen. For we must always retain that distinction: what nation is so renow…

For that also is a singular ornament of the people of the Jews, that they had God for their lawgiver. For if some glory in Solon, and some in Lycurgus: how much more justly may they glory in the Lord, of whom you may read in Deuteronomy 4. By worship, he understands that part of…

The Sun, Moon and stars are also called the Host of Heaven. Deut. 4 19. And lest you shouldest lift up your Eys to Heaven and when you seest the Sun and the Moon, and the Stars, even all the Host of Heaven.

All that is commanded in that Word belongs to our Obedience, and nothing else does so. Hence are we so strictly required neither to add to it nor to diminish or take any thing from it, Deut. 4. 2. Chap. 12. 32.

I shall therefore here appeal to your consciences, whether you have not found these Events of Providence falling out agreeably in all respects with the Word. The Word tells you, that it is your wisdom and Interest, to keep close to its rules, and the duties it prescribes, that t…

And, 1. faith is called, and is a cleaving unto the Lord, Deuteronomy 4:4. Ye that did cleave, or adhere unto the Lord; that is, who did believe.

Secondly, I answer, the words may as fitly be translated thus, and spit in his sight, that is, spit on the ground before his face, that he might see her: and that seems to be the true meaning of that place: for it was very vnseemely for any one, much more for a woman, so publike…

Hence I gather, first, that it is an horrible thing, to make an image to represent the true God, or to worship God in it; for God is inuisible. The second commandment condemns thē both, as Moses himselfe does so expound it, Deut. 4. 15, 16. Ye saw no Image in the day that the L…

This then is first [illegible]ne proofe that the Lord whome we worship, is the true God; bec[illegible] he is so able to helpe, and so readie and willing to heare, beeing neere to all that call upon him in truth. Thus Moses reasons with his people to prove that they only had the…

Secondly; When they are thus initiated and entered into the Church of Christ, another duty that parents owe them is, to instruct and admonish them, to educate them in the fear and knowledge of God, and this the apostle expressly enjoins (Ephesians 6:4): "You fathers, bring up yo…

Now this is infinitely derogatory to God who is a Spirit; and therefore cannot be represented in any form without a vast incongruity: and he is the Father of Spirits, infinitely more spiritual than spirits themselves, in comparison with whom angels and the souls of men are but d…

Secondly, whereas they pretend to worship the true God by an image, we reply, that it is most impious to attempt to represent God by any visible resemblance, and therefore much more to worship him, could he be so represented. For God who is infinite, cannot be circumscribed by l…

This was quite a new thing that God did towards this great work of redemption. God never had done anything like it before, Deuteronomy 4:32-34. This was a great advancement of the work of redemption, that had been begun and carried on from the fall of man; a great step taken in…

On that account it was called the glorious Land (Daniel 11:16). This made them greater than all the nations round about them (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). (2) By losing the ordinances, they lose their quickenings, comforts, and soul-refreshments; for all these are sweet streams from the…

Lastly, Our abuse of Prosperity, when God gave it; making God's Mercies the Food and Fewel of our Lusts. When we had an a[•]fluence and confluence of outward Blessings, this made us kick against God, as Deuteronomy 32:15. Forget God, Deuteronomy 4:14. Indeed, grow proud of our s…

So in his providence, his sustaining and guidance of all things in order to one another and his own glory unto the ends appointed for them; for all these things come forth from the Lord of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working (Isaiah 28:29). His law also i…

Feathers swim on the top, but Gold sinks into the Water: Feathery Spirits have some floting Thoughts; but good Hearts sink deep in the Thoughts of a Deity. 2. Our Thoughts of God must be Spiritual. Take heed of framing any gross conceits of God in our Minds, representing him by…

If one Angel destroy'd such a vast Army, what can a Legion of Angels do? a Legion consisted of six thousand six hundred sixty six, says Hesychius: how many of these Legions go to make up the Heavenly Host! 2: The Stars are Gods Army, Deuteronomy 4:19. These were set in Battalia…

As touching the essence or being, we have but only one God: and yet in Jesus Christ we have the lively and express image of the Father, so as there we find whatever is expedient and requisite for our salvation (Colossians 1:15, etc.). It is said that we ought to glory in our kno…

But if the Law were not a rule to a Christian (as some Antinomians have that opinion) if it were not in force, then there should be no sin or duty: for where there is no Law, there is no transgression; for the nature of sin is the transgression of the Law (1 John 3:4; Romans 4:1…

Pleasure is applicatio convenientis convenienti, so it is true in theological truths, we are the more affected with them, the more they are represented with evidence to the soul. (2.) Scriptural truths are more sublime than other truths, and do ennoble reason with the knowledge…