Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Let us note further, that where as it is said he will require an account of it: the meaning thereof is: that we shall have gained nothing by scaping the hands of men. For why? God will maintain his own honour. And this is notable in many respects. For oftentimes ye shall see, that they which should hold the stern to make Gods word to be received with reverence, have no regard of it at all. The Princes, Magistrates, and Judges of this world, do punish things which they know to be to their own damage: such offences are straitly looked to. And why? For if they should go unpunished, great disorder would ensue thereof. This respect were not amiss, so they did not set the cart before the horse. For if God be offended, they let that slip. And why? Because they think there grows no inconvenience of it. And in very deed it is grown to a common by word to say, Who is he that accuseth me? Whom have I wronged? The party that shall have spited God openly, and therefore deserveth to be rooted out of the world, shall but wring his mouth or rather his groyne, and steppe forth with a shameless forehead to ask who accuseth him. The very Angels of heaven, yea and all other creatures cry out against him; and yet he hath not offended. And why so? Because no body is against him here among men: for it may chance that no man will stand in Gods defence. Every man will well enough plead for themselves: but they be not so zealous as to set themselves against such as offend God. And yet in the mean while the Judges are asleep, and let all such manner of ungodly dealings slip. Yea there are some which are worse than Jews and Saracens, showing no token of Christianity, but openly despising both Sermons and use of Sacraments. Othersome are not contented with such contempt, but they do also make war against God, and play the venomous beasts in spewing out their vileness to make all religion to be set light by. These things are to be seen: and yet men wink at them. Therefore doeth God tell us that he will call them to account for it. Very well (sayeth he): let men be as negligent as they will: yet will not I forget these things, whatsoever come of it.

Let vs note further, that where as it is saide hee will require an account of it: the meaning thereof is: that wee shall haue gained nothing by scaping the handes of men. For why? God will maintaine his owne honour. And this is notable in many respectes. For oftentimes yee shall see, that they which shoulde holde the sterne to make Gods worde to bee receiued with reuerence, haue no regarde of it at all. The Princes, Magistrates, and Iudges of this worlde, doe punish thinges which they knowe to bee to their owne domage: such offences are straitely looked to. And why? For if they shoulde goe vnpunished, great disorder woulde insue thereof. This respect were not amisse, so they did not set the cart before the horse. For if God be offended, they let that slippe. And why? Because they thinke there growes no inconuenience of it. And in verie deede it is growen to a cōmon by word to say, Who is hee that accuseth mee? Whome haue I wronged? The partie that shall haue spited God openly, and therefore deserueth to bee rooted out of the worlde, shall but wring his mouth or rather his groyne, and steppe forth with a shamelesse foreheade to aske who accuseth him. The verie Angels of heauen, yea and all other creatures crie out against him; and yet hee hath not offended. And why so? Because no bodie is against him heere among men: for it may chaunce that no man will stande in Gods defence. Euerie man will wellynough pleade for themselues: but they be not so zealous as to set themselues against such as offende God. And yet in the meane whyle the Iudges are asleepe, and let all such manner of vngodly dealings slip. Yea there are some which are worse than Iewes and Sarasins, shewing no token of Christianitie, but openly despising both Sermons and vse of Sacramentes. Othersome are not contented with such contempt, but they doe also make warre against God, and play the venemous beasts in spewing out their vilenesse to make all religion to bee set light by. These thinges are to bee seene: and yet men winke at them. Therfore doeth God tell vs that hee will call them to account for it. Verie wel (saieth hee): let men bee as negligent as they will: yet wil not I forget these things, whatsoeuer come of it.