Sermons upon Deuteronomy

First he saith, that he himself is not able to bear them any more alone, because they were greatly increased: for you be (saith he) mo than the stars of the sky: and we know that they were moe than seven hundred thousand persons. Seeing it is so then, I am no more able (saith he) to bear your charges, your incumbraunces, and your strifes: and therefore you must be fain to choose some men to be in office with me, men of wisdom and understanding, and well tried. First of all, whereas Moses protesteth that he was no longer able to bear the charge of the people: therein he showeth us, that such as are advanced to any degree of honour or dignity, must not be as Idols without doing any thing at all, but [are set in that state] with condition to take pains, yea and to do service for the welfare of the commons, inasmuch as God hath laid that burden upon their shoulders, for the upholding of the common weal. And it is a point of doctrine well worthy to be observed. For we see how all men are given to ambition, so as every man seeks to be esteemed and honoured, & all endeavour to grow great. And why? Because we consider not, that Gods advancing of us is to the intent we should represent his person in this world. And surely that cannot be without incumberance. The more honourable therefore that any charge or office is, the more painful and cumbersome is it. But forasmuch as men imagine an idle honour: that fancy of theirs carieth them into so fond or rather furious overlustinesse, that they pass for no more but to have their own swing, and to mount up on high, yea even (diverse times) to break their own necks.

First he sayth, that he himselfe is not able to beare them any more alone, because they were greatly increased: for you be (sayth he) mo than the starres of the sky: and we knowe that they were moe than seuen hundred thowsand persons. Seeing it is so then, I am no more able (saith he) to beare your charges, your incumbraunces, and your strifes: and therefore you must bee faine to choose some men to bee in office with me, men of wisedome and vnderstanding, and well tryed. First of all, whereas Moses protesteth that he was no longer able to beare the charge of the people: therein he sheweth vs, that such as are aduaunced to any degree of honor or dignitie, must not be as Idols without doing any thing at all, but [are set in that state] with condition to take paynes, yea and to doe seruice for the welfare of the commons, in asmuch as God hath layed that burthen vpon their shoulders, for the vpholding of the common weale. And it is a poynt of doctrine well woorthie to be obserued. For we see how all men are giuen to ambitiō, so as euery man seekes to be esteemed and honored, & all indeuour to growe great. And why? Because wee consider not, that Gods aduauncing of vs is to the intent we shoulde represent his person in this worlde. And surely that cannot be without incumberance. The more honorable therefore that any charge or office is, the more paynful and cumbersome is it. But for asmuch as men imagine an idle honor: that fancie of theirs caryeth them into so fond or rather furious ouerlustinesse, that they passe for no more but to haue their owne swindge, and to mount vp on high, yea euen (diuerse times) to breake their owne neckes.