Sermons upon Deuteronomy

We see then, that whensoever the greater multitude of men inclineth unto evil, we must let them alone as though they were nothing worth. They be not worthy to come in account, and we must rather hold with a handful of men whom we see to teach us faithfully and to give us good counsel: I say we must rather follow one or two such, and let a hundred, yea a thousand others go, than cast our selves into confusion with the greater multitude. And if ever this were needful: it is needful now in our time. For on the one side we see how all things are turned upside down in the world: superstitions are so great and unmeasurable as is pity to see. If we should frame our life to the common trade, what a thing were it? For all is infected with robbery, deceit, cruelty, treason, blasphemy, contempt of God, drunkenness, whoredom, pride, and looseness. Now then, whosoever fashioneth himself to the custom of men, must forsake God and withdraw himself from all goodness: he must give himself to all lewdness, and plunge himself into all wickedness. Lo to what point we be come. What is to be done then? Let us learn to look upon such as are able to guide us aright, though they be but few in number: and let us not be carried away by the greater multitude. For it will not serve to shield us before God, it will not serve to lessen or to mitigate our fault. If we say, every man did so: when I saw such a number of men follow that trade, I put my self in company with them: & to my seeming the thing that was so commonly used, could not be but lawful: the alleging of such fond excuses will stand us in no stead, for we shall win nothing by them, as I said afore. And therefore let us follow those to whom God hath given the grace to show us the right way. Though there be but three or four of them, let us esteem them no less than if they were an hundred thousand. For God passeth not for the greatness of the multitude, as it is said already.

Wee see then, that whensoeuer the greater multitude of men inclineth vnto euill, we must let them alone as though they were nothing worth. They bee not worthie to come in account, and wee must rather holde with a handfull of men whom wee see to teache vs faithfully and to giue vs good counsell: I say wee must rather followe one or two such, and let a hundred, yea a thousand others goe, than cast our selues into confusion with the greater multitude. And if euer this were needfull: it is needfull now in our time. For on the one side wee see how all thinges are turned vpside downe in the worlde: superstitions are so great and vnmeasurable as is pitie to see. If wee should frame our life to the common trade, what a thing were it? For all is infected with robberie, deceite, crueltie, treason, blasphemie, contempt of God, drunkennesse, whoredome, pride, and loosenesse. Nowe then, whosoeuer fashioneth himselfe to the custome of men, must forsake God and withdrawe himselfe from all goodnesse: he must giue himselfe to all lewdnesse, and plundge himselfe into all wickednesse. Lo to what point wee bee come. What is to be done then? Let vs learne to looke vpon such as are able to guide vs aright, though they be but fewe in nomber: and let vs not be caried away by the greater multitude. For it wil not serue to shield vs before God, it will not serue to lessen or to mitigate our fault. If we say, euery mā did so: when I saw such a nomber of men followe that trade, I put my selfe in companie with them: & to my seeming ye thing that was so commonly vsed, could not bee but lawfull: the alledging of such fond excuses will stand vs in no stead, for we shall win nothing by them, as I saide afore. And therefore let vs follow those to whom God hath giuen the grace to shew vs ye right way. Though there be but three or foure of them, let vs esteem them no lesse than if they were an hundred thousand. For God passeth not for the greatnesse of the multitude, as it is said alreadie.