Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Moreover let us mark that Moses speaketh here, of such as are in need. For God meant not to maintain wicked folk in idleness & naughtiness. The man that seeketh to wast away other mens goods, and to defraud his Creditors, is not commended unto us here of God: but he speaketh directly of mercy. And that is the cause why he sayeth, Thou shalt not harden thy heart. For if we have not that discretion: do what Almsdeeds we will, and yet shall none of them be acceptable. Wherefore let us mark, that here God speaketh not in favour of all men, but only setteth before us such as are in need & wot not what to do, and should perish in distress if they were not relieved. Those are they which are to be helped according to our ability. True it is, that to make a Law of it, it is not possible. God hath set this order among his people, that the poor should be succoured. But he hath not told with what sum, nor how oftentimes: he hath not made a tax of it, to say that every man should bear thus much; Only we must resort to this which S. Paul saith,¹ Let every man do that which he doth with a free hart, and not lay a tribute upon men as though they should pay as much as they were sessed at: but let every man sess him self of his own good will, & think thus, although I strained my self a hundred times more, yet could I not discharge my self to my godward. Howbeit forasmuch as he showeth me this favour to accept it as an offering of my hand, although I do not so ⟨p. 583⟩much as I ought to do nothing near, yet doth it please him to receive that which I give him, so it be done with a free hart. Sith we know this, albeit that we cannot make a grounded Law of it, to say how far we shall go in succouring our neighbours, yet let every of us strain himself, and always be doing, with the foresaid free heart.

Moreouer let vs marke that Moses speaketh here, of such as are in neede. For God ment not to maintaine wicked folke in ydlenes & naughtinesse. The man that seeketh to wast away other mens goods, and to defraude his Creditors, is not commended vnto vs heere of God: but hee speaketh directly of mercy. And that is the cause why he saieth, Thou shalt not harden thy heart. For if wee haue not that discretion: doe what Almesdeedes we will, and yet shall none of them be acceptable. Wherfore let vs marke, that here God speaketh not in fauour of all men, but onely setteth before vs such as are in neede & wote not what to doe, and shoulde perish in distresse if they were not relieued. Those are they which are to be helped according to our abilitie. True it is, that to make a Lawe of it, it is not possible. God hath set this order among his people, that the poore shoulde be succoured. But he hath not tolde with what sūme, nor how oftentimes: hee hath not made a tax of it, to say that euery man should beare thus much; Only we must resort to this which S. Paul saith,