Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And hereupon we may gather, that all such as have the executing of Justice, must lay away their own fleshly passions, and look that they be quite and clear from all desire of revenge, hatred and rancour. And this must be regarded ⟨p. 331⟩of us, not only in punishing of evil doers, but also in the admonishments and warnings that we give. For if we be too sharp, it is an overshooting of our selves which proceedeth of our sinfulness, by reason whereof, although the correction which we minister be out of Gods word, yet is it already stained, and God alloweth it not. Sometimes we think our selves to be excused, if we tell a man the truth. Yea, but we would not tell it him, if our overuehement affection §10drave us not to it. For nowadays vices are fostered among men, and every man is content to bear with his neighbour in his evil doing: but if there happen any variance or quarrel, then out flieth that which was concealed before. Therefore in rebuking men, it is not enough for us that we can allege that we have told them the truth: unless we can also therewithal protest, that we were not led with desire of revenge or otherwise. Let us mark then, that if it be but §20in warnings by word of mouth, we must not be passionate nor desirous of revenge, but simply do it of zeal to Godward. Now then it is much more reason that when a judge holdeth the sword in his hand, and is to proceed further to the executing of Justice with rigour, he should then lay aside all evil affections. That is the cause why God hath expressly showed his people the end of the law which he had given them, to the intent they should be the better taught to §30walk in the pure religion, and not follow the superstitions which they should punish in the Heathen. That is the thing which we have to note in effect.

And hereupon wee may gather, that all such as haue the executing of Iustice, must lay away their owne fleshly passions, and looke that they be quite and cleare from all desire of reuenge, hatred and rancor. And this must be regarded ⟨p. 331⟩of vs, not onely in punishing of euill doers, but also in the admonishments and warninges that wee giue. For if we be too sharpe, it is an ouershooting of our selues which proceedeth of our sinfulnesse, by reason whereof, although the correction which we minister be out of Gods word, yet is it already steined, and God alloweth it not. Sometimes wee think our selues to bee excused, if wee tell a man the truth. Yea, but wee would not tell it him, if our oueruehement affection