1Now more particularly let us see by whom he excused himself, and that was by the people, they (he saith) reserved some of the cattle. But will any man think that the people were not subject unto him, but he rather unto them? we see how he commanded the people in a small thing,2 and yet too strictly and cruelly, when they were faint by pursuing their enemies, and for all that none durst disobey him, no namely, that they should not so much as taste of a little honey, when it would have strengthened and refreshed them, and have made them ⟨p. 140⟩fitter to go against their enemies, so great awe he had them in: And therefore small likelihood there was here, notwithstanding his charging them that they had reserved of the cattle against his will: that was therefore a sleight excuse, and had little truth in it. And by this we may learn; that men to shun blame and punishment for their, sin, care not upon whom they lay the fault, nor who smart, so as they may escape and go free: though they deserve no such thing. A common fault in the world, that men can be content that other shall suffer for their offences, as many a one is seen to be hanged for the trespass, which another is guilty ⟨p. 141⟩of. This was far from David, when the pestilence was on the people for his numbering of them.3 He said unto the Lord, when he saw the Angel smite the people, behold, I have sinned and done wickedly, but these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand [I pray thee] be against me and my fathers house. Even so Paul wished in his bonds, that all were as he; that is true christians, but without his bands: he could willingly wish them the commodity, that he himself enjoyed, but without the smart that he sustained. And so an upright hearted christian, cannot find in his heart to suffer another man to bear his burden; nor to smart for ⟨p. 142⟩his fault, neither hath any pleasure to ease himself by other mens pain; and sorrow. Rather he beareth the burdens of others, then disburdens himself upon the innocent. So neither can he hurt, wrong, and oppress another for his own benefit, much less then can, or dare he live by the sins of other men, as many do; nor pill, oppress, defraud the poor, with hard impositions, racked rents; hard penny worths, when he knoweth they cannot bear them, but must needs faint and shrink under their burdens.
1Now more particularly let vs see by whome he excused himselfe, and that was by the people, they (he saith) reserued some of the cattle. But will any man thinke that the people were not subiect vnto him, but he rather vnto them? we see how he commanded the people in a small thing,2 and yet too strictly and cruelly, when they were faint by pursuing their enemies, and for all that none durst disobey him, no namely, that they should not so much as taste of a little honey, when it would haue strengthened and refreshed them, and haue made them ⟨p. 140⟩fitter to goe against their enemies, so great awe he had them in: And therefore small likelyhood there was heere, notwithstanding his charging them that they had reserued of the cattle against his will: that was therefore a sleight excuse, and had little truth in it. And by this we may learne; that men to shunne blame and punishment for their, sinne, care not vpon whome they lay the fault, nor who smart, so as they may escape and goe free: though they deserue no such thing. A common fault in the world, that men can be content that other shall suffer for their offences, as many a one is seen to be hanged for the trespasse, which another is guiltie ⟨p. 141⟩of. This was farre from Dauid, when the pestilence was on the people for his numbring of them.3 He said vnto the Lord, when he saw the Angell smite the people, behold, I haue sinned and done wickedly, but these sheepe, what haue they done? Let thine hand [I pray thee] be against mee and my fathers house. Euen so Paul wished in his bonds, that all were as he; that is true christians, but without his bands: he could willingly wish them the commoditie, that he himselfe enioyed, but without the smart that he sufteyned. And so an vpright hearted christian, cannot finde in his heart to suffer another man to beare his burthen; nor to smart for ⟨p. 142⟩his fault, neither hath any pleasure to ease himselfe by other mens paine; and sorrow. Rather he beareth the burthens of others, then disburthens himselfe vpon the innocent. So neither can he hurt, wrong, and oppresse another for his owne benefite, much lesse then can, or dare he liue by the sinnes of other men, as many doe; nor pill, oppresse, defraud the poore, with hard impositions, racked rents; hard penny worths, when he knoweth they cannot beare them, but must needes faint and shrinke vnder their burthens.
- 1A further explication of the 2. branch.
- 21 Sam. 14.
- 31 Sam. 14. The godly man beareth his own burden.1 Sam. 14. The godly man beareth his owne burden.