Sermons upon Deuteronomy

True it is that at that time they were greatly abashed at it: but yet we see the recklessness of men in that they spake not a word when they were deprived of so great a benefit. And that is a token of too shameful thanklessness. Here have we a looking glass, wherein we may very well behold the affection of men: for we at this day be no better than the Jews were. And in deed we perceive how the world seeketh nought else but to be exempted, that they might not have their ears troubled with the law of God, nor with his word. True it is that they are ashamed, & do abhor to say that Gods word should be despised; but yet they would make it a relic, to be worshipped a far off, & as a sealed letter, so as men should content themselves with the doing of some honour & ceremony to it, as if they should say, Lo, the word of God shall be reverenced, but yet it belongeth not to us to trouble ourselves overmuch therewith, by applying our study thereunto. We see then how the world doth evermore shift it self from taking any such knowledge of Gods word as they ought to have. For whereof cometh the horrible ignorance, which reigneth yet still in may coū tries, & generally in all the popedom, but only of this, that men refer themselves to the Monks & Friars, and such other people, or at leastwise to the Popes Clergy for the knowledge of the holy scripture? For it is not for secular or temporal persons (as they term them) to deal therewith. And the secular priests also (as they call them) discharge themselves thereof & put it over to the Monks: they say it belongeth to none but doctors of divinity to deal with it. See how brutish the world was become. And yet a man would think it strange that men should be so grossly overseen, ⟨p. 1080⟩as to have no discretion in that behalf, but that they should be led by the mussels like beasts, and go astray after that manner. How is it possible that God should so forsake his church, & that things should be so grossly abused? Let us look to the cause & fountain of the mischief. When God kindleth the light of life amongst us, if we shut our eyes thereat, & turn our backs, or take coverts to sleep in, & play the sluggards, which shut their windows, that the sun should not shine §10into their eyes: if we seek to settle after that sort in our lees; is it not meet that God should withdraw all his teaching from us?

True it is yt at that time they were greatly abashed at it: but yet we see the rechlesnes of men in yt they spake not a word when they were depriued of so great a benefit. And yt is a token of too shamefull thankelesnes. Heere haue we a lookingglasse, wherein we may very well behold the affectiō of men: for we at this day be no better than the Iewes were. And in deede wee perceiue howe the world seeketh nought else but to be exempted, yt they might not haue their eares troubled with the law of God, nor with his word. True it is that they are ashamed, & do abhor to say yt Gods word should be despised; but yet they would make it a relique, to be worshipped a farre off, & as a sealed letter, so as men should content thēselues with the doing of some honor & ceremony to it, as if they should say, Lo, the word of God shalbe reuerenced, but yet it belongeth not to vs to trouble ourselues ouermuch therewith, by applying our study thereunto. We see then how the world doth euermore shift it selfe from taking any such knowlege of Gods word as they ought to haue. For whereof cōmeth the horrible ignorāce, which reigneth yet stil in may coū tries, & generally in all the popedome, but only of this, yt men referre thēselues to the Monkes & Freers, and such other people, or at leastwise to the Popes Clergie for the knowledge of the holy scripture? For it is not for secular or temporall persons (as they terme them) to deale therwith. And the secular priestes also (as they call them) discharge thēselues thereof & put it ouer to the Monkes: they say it belongeth to none but doctors of diuinity to deale with it. See how brutish the world was become. And yet a man would thinke it strange yt men should be so grosly ouerseene,