Sermons upon Deuteronomy

For although we may scape in this world, yet when we come before the heavenly judge, we shall be punished double for our abusing of our power & credit after that fashion.¹ According whereunto S. Paul warneth masters that they should not mistreat their servants: for God (saith he) judgeth with out respect of persons. Whereby he showeth, that such as are set in high estate & authority, ought to abstain utterly from all cruelty & pride. For why? They may well be served of the same sauce themselves. And it is not for them to think themselves to have the better hand because that as now they have the vantage & are in better degree: for all the gear shall be dashed, when it cometh before God. Thus ye see what we have to bear in mind.

For although we may scape in this world, yet when we come before the heauenly iudge, we shall be punished double for our abusing of our power & credite after yt fashion.¹ According whereunto S. Paule warneth maisters yt they should not misintreat their seruants: for God (saith he) iudgeth wt out respect of persons. Wherby he sheweth, that such as are set in high estate & authoritie, ought to abstaine vtterly from al crueltie & pride. For why? They may well be serued of the same sauce thēselues. And it is not for thē to think thēselues to haue ye better hand bicause that as now they haue ye vauntage & are in better degree: for all ye geere shalbe dasht, when it cōmeth before God. Thus ye see what we haue to beare in minde.

1. 1Eph. […].Eph. 〈…〉.

Now for a further declaration he addeth, that God doeth right to the fatherless, the widow and the stranger: & that God hath a care of the stranger to give him clothing & food. Yea & he telleth the Jews that they had bin strangers in the land of Egypt, & therefore they ought to be mindful still of that state of theirs, that they might use all manner of gentleness towards strangers. This serveth for the proof of the doctrine which I touched even now; that is to wit, that god hath no respect of persons. And in that respect doth Moses say, that the widows, fatherless, and strangers shall be vexed in this world, they shall have none to bear them out, men shall suffer the widows to be troubled, the fatherless shall be made a pray, strangers shall be laid open to all injuries, & no man shall withstand it. And why? For in as much as they bear no countenance in this world, nor have any kinsfolk or friends to maintain them: it seemeth that they may be put to the bearing of all things: that is the custom of the world. But contrariwise it is said here, that God is a defender of the fatherless, a maintainer of the widows, & a protector of strangers. This is utterly against the common custom of men. For (as I have said already) men are given to the pleasuring of such as may stand them in some stead again: Kinsfolk & friends will help one another: & in the mean while poor people are forsake. But see here how God dealeth the clean contrary way. When he sees men trust in their own stays, and in their own strength, he letteth them alone, as if he should say to them, Very well, try what ye can do of your selves. For commonly when means are proffered us in this world whereby to help us, we despise God, & we bear our selves in hand, that we may well enough forbear him. Not that we will so say; but for as much as few folk do call upon God when the world favoureth them: therefore doth God also make no account of them. Behold, it is the widow, the stranger, and the fatherless, that are constrained to make their moan unto him; and when they have looked about them, they find no favour nor help among men. They shall be dallied withal, and although some fair promises be made them, all is but holy water of the court as they term it: in so much that the poor souls wot not where to become.