Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Furthermore although the proper nature of the law be to fray folk: yet notwithstanding, the same may also be verified of the Gospel. For we must take it for a general rule, that as soon as we perceive Gods presence, we must needs be abashed. We see how the very Angels do hide their eyes,¹ because Gods glory is too great for them, and they be driven to confess that they be too feeble, as creatures. And what will become of us then? For we be inferior to the Angels, and besides that, we hold not still the uncorruptnesse of our nature. We be not as we were created: that is to say, we be not earthly men as our father Adam was, but we be utterly corrupted, so as there is nothing but sin in us: and therefore God is fain to be as an enemy to us, and we be fain to shun his throne, as offenders shun the seat of the Judge to the uttermost of their power. To be short, we be but wretched worms and carrions. Now then, look how soon God cometh near us, we must needs be dismayed, yea and utterly stricken down. And therefore (as I have touched already) it is to our benefit that God showeth himself after that fashion: that is to wit, by the means of men, so as he appointeth men to show us his will as well as if he spake himself, and he will have us to receive his word with as great reverence, as if we heard him thundering from heaven. But yet it will be good for us to understand more at large, the thing that I have touched in one word: namely that the Law frayeth us far more in comparison than the Gospel, as is declared also more at length elsewhere. And why is that? Because that in the Law God requireth that which is due to him at mens hands. But now let us see if we be able to discharge our selves of it. No: but contrariwise we be like wretched debtors, which have not one dodkin nor dodkins worth.

Furthermore although the proper nature of the lawe bee to fray folke: yet notwithstanding, the same may also bee verifyed of the Gospell. For wee must take it for a generall rule, that as soone as wee perceiue Gods presence, we must needes bee abashed. Wee see how the very Angels doe hide their eyes,¹ because Gods glory is too great for them, and they be driuen to confesse that they bee too feeble, as creatures. And what will become of vs then? For wee be inferior to the Angels, and besides that, wee holde not still the vncorruptnesse of our nature. Wee be not as wee were created: that is to say, we be not earthly men as our father Adam was, but wee bee vtterly corrupted, so as there is nothing but sinne in vs: and therefore God is faine to be as an enemie to vs, and wee bee faine to shunne his throne, as offenders shunne the seate of the Iudge to the vttermost of their power. To bee short, we be but wretched wormes and caryons. Nowe then, looke how soone God commeth neere vs, wee must needes be dismaied, yea and vtterly stryken downe. And therefore (as I haue touched already) it is to our benefite that God sheweth himselfe after that fashion: that is to wit, by the meanes of men, so as hee appoynteth men to shewe vs his will as well as if hee spake himselfe, and hee will haue vs to receiue his word with as great reuerence, as if we heard him thundering from heauen. But yet it will bee good for vs to vnderstand more at large, the thing that I haue touched in one worde: namely that the Lawe frayeth vs far more in comparison than the Gospel, as is declared also more at length elsewhere. And why is that? Because that in the Lawe God requireth that which is due to him at mens handes. But now let vs see if wee be able to discharge our selues of it. No: but contrariwise wee bee lyke wretched detters, which haue not one dodkin nor dodkins woorth.