The sinful mans searchThe sinfull mans search

Puttest thou any trust in man, whose breath is in his nostrils? Cursed is he that maketh man his strength,¹ and flesh his arm.² Surely Pharaoh, and all princes are a broken staff, on which if a man lean, it will strike into his hand and pierce it, and lay him grovelling in the dust: It is better therefore to trust in the Lord, ³then to put any confidence in Princes. Thinkest thou that Angels, or Saints, or Images, can help thee? O foolish and impious piety, to attribute more unto the Angels, then they dare arrogate unto themselves. The Angel in the Revelation,⁴ forbiddeth ⟨image 17⟩John to worship him. As for the Image, we read, that to turn the glory of the incorruptible God, into the similitude of a corruptible creature, is idolatry.⁵ Well may I then affirm with Moses,⁶ cursed be the Image and the Image maker. The conclusion therefore of this point, is this, that we seek the Lord and his strength ever more, that we pray unto God in humility and sincerity, and in full assurance of faith continually: who without end is to be sought, because without end he is to be beloved.

Puttest thou any trust in man, whose breath is in his nosthrils? Curssed is he that maketh man his strength,¹ and flesh his arme.² Surely Pharaoh, and all princes are a broken staffe, on which if a man leane, it will strike into his hande and pierce it, and lay him groueling in the dust: It is better therefore to trust in the Lorde, ³