Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Wherefore let us mark well the doctrine that is given us here by the example of Moses: which is, that first of all every of us must consider, that when God vouchsafeth to put any goods into our hands, or to advance us to any degree: he bindeth us with the straiter bond, and we have the harder account to make: to the end we may learn thereby to hold our selves within the bounds of our own slender ability, when it pleaseth God to have it so. Moreover §60let us also have a continual eye to our own infirmity, so as we may acknowledge that our ability is very small: and if it please not God to advance us, let us not bear envy towards them that are in that danger, and have that heavy burden upon their shoulders. If they feel it not: it is so much the worse for them. And for our own part (as I said afore) let us be contented that our Lord let us alone sitting as it were upon the ground, and let us not covet to climb higher. Also therewithal let us have compassion upon such as bear the hard burden, & let us pray God to give them strength and might at their need: for we see that if God let them alone, they must needs be utterly undone. And thirdly, if it please God to put us in any office, let us be ready to obey him, at leastwise according to our ability. Howbeit, let us not take too much upon us, least this old said saw be verified upon us, that he which gripeth too much can hardly hold it. But let us advisedly offer our selves unto God, that he may govern us by his holy spirit, so as every of us may do his duty, and every of us employ himself according to his measure and ability, referring all our doings to the common weal, to the end that God may be served thereby, and our labour may redound to the benefit of the people committed to our charge. Thus ye see in effect what we have to mark.

Wherefore let vs marke well the doctrine that is giuen vs here by the example of Moses: which is, that first of all euery of vs must consider, that when God vouchsafeth to put any goods into our handes, or to aduaunce vs to any degree: hee bindeth vs with the straiter bond, and we haue the harder account to make: to the ende we may learne thereby to holde our selues within the boundes of our owne slender abilitie, whē it pleaseth God to haue it so. Moreouer §60let vs also haue a continuall eye to our owne infirmitie, so as we may acknowledge that our abilitie is very small: and if it please not God to aduaunce vs, let vs not beare enuy towardes them that are in that daunger, and haue that heauy burthen vppon their shoulders. If they feele it not: it is so much the woorse for them. And for our owne part (as I sayd afore) let vs be contented that our Lord let vs alone sitting as it were vpon the ground, and let vs not couet to climbe higher. Also therewithal let vs haue compassion vppon such as beare the hard burthen, & let vs pray God to giue them strength and might at their neede: for we see that if God let them alone, they must needs be vtterly vndone. And thirdly, if it please God to put vs in any office, let vs be ready to obey him, at leastwise according to our abilitie. Howbeit, let vs not take too much vppon vs, least this olde sayd saw be verified vppon vs, that he which grypeth too much can hardly holde it. But let vs aduisedly offer our selues vnto God, that he may gouerne vs by his holy spirit, so as euery of vs may doe his duetie, and euery of vs imploy himselfe according to his measure and abilitie, referring all our doings to the common weale, to the ende that God may be serued thereby, and our labor may redound to the benefite of the people committed to our charge. Thus ye see in effect what wee haue to marke.