Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But yet we must note also, that this pertaineth not only to them that are in authority: but also to all men in general. For there is as it were a comparison made between God and mortal men. And why? For nothing beguileth us more, than that we make too great reckoning of men, and in so doing either diminish God, or abolish his highness. As oft as men come in our minds, God is no body in comparison: insomuch as if we put him in balance, he seemeth lighter than a feather: whereas men do always keep their full weight with us. Surely if we were about to compare other men with our selves, we could set them light enough: for every of us would make much of himself. Or if we were to consider one man with another: look whom we liked off, he should give greatest gloss to disgrace the things that were to be misliked in the contrary party: insomuch that we say, tush what is he? he is no body. For why? We would make far greater estimation of the other. Thus ye see how we could skill to disgrace men. But come we once to GOD, he must be as good as cast down, and men must be set up in his place. Lo how spiteful and froward we be. So much the more therefore doeth it stand us on hand to mark this saying, where it is declared that if God come in place, it is not for us to make any reckoning of men. For it is a great traitorousness that men or creatures should be in such estimation, that Gods right should be defaced, or any thing be plucked from him. And yet for all that, we see it is too common a thing, & it hindereth us that we cannot serve GOD ⟨p. 21⟩as we ought to do. True it is that every man is turned away by his own lusts, insomuch that although we have none other to withstand us, yet have we inward encumbrances of our own, and our nature is so sinful, as we cannot in any wise apply our selves to do good. But yet is there this inconvenience more in it, that as soon as another man comes in place, by and by we be at our wits end. I would fain do my duty (say we), but what?§10 Then must I purchase me such a mans displeasure. We see now adays that a man cannot pleasure men, except he do as the world doeth, and follow the bias of other men. And again, behold here my neighbour, he will always be at deadly food with me, if I fashion not my self to his manner of dealing:

But yet wee must note also, that this perteyneth not only to them that are in authoritie: but also to all men in generall. For there is as it were a comparison made betweene God and mortall men. And why? For nothing beguileth vs more, than that wee make too great reckening of men, and in so doing eyther diminishe God, or abolish his highnesse. As oft as men come in our minds, God is no body in comparison: insomuch as if wee put him in ballaunce, hee seemeth lighter than a feather: whereas men doe alwayes keepe their full weight with vs. Surely if wee were about to compare other men with our selues, wee coulde set them light ynough: for euery of vs woulde make much of himselfe. Or if wee were to consider one man with another: looke whom wee lyked off, he should giue greatest glosse to disgrace the thinges that were to bee mislyked in the contrarie partie: insomuch that wee say, tushe what is he? he is no body. For why? Wee woulde make farre greater estimation of the other. Thus ye see howe wee could skill to disgrace men. But come we once to GOD, he must bee as good as cast downe, and men must bee set vp in his place. Lo howe spytefull and frowarde wee bee. So much the more therefore doeth it stande vs on hand to mark this saying, where it is declared yt if God come in place, it is not for vs to make any reckening of men. For it is a great trayterousnesse that men or creatures shoulde bee in such estimation, that Gods right should bee defaced, or any thing bee plucked from him. And yet for all that, we see it is too common a thing, & it hindereth vs that we cannot serue GOD