Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Furthermore it is told us here, that we must relieve our neighbours wants: for our Lord speaketh here of the lendings that are done of alms. And in deed, it is oftentimes a greater almsdeed to lend some competent sum, than to §60give a very little. For it may be that the giving of a little will do a man no ease at all: but the lending of as much as need requireth, relieveth him very well, & he may in time content his creditor again. That then is the thing whereunto our Lord appointeth us. And therefore let us mark the thing which I have touched already; that is to wit, that although a man cannot set down a Law certain in this behalf; yet must every man be a rule to himself, to do according to his own ability and according to the need that he seeth in his neighbours.

Furthermore it is tolde vs here, that we must relieue our neighbors wants: for our Lord speaketh heere of the lendinges that are doone of almes. And in deede, it is oftentimes a greater almesdeede to lend some cōpetēt sūme, than to §60giue a very little. For it may be yt the giuing of a little will doe a man no ease at all: but the lending of as much as neede requireth, releeueth him very wel, & he may in time content his creditor again. That then is the thing whereunto our Lord appointeth vs. And therefore let vs marke the thing which I haue touched already; that is to wit, that although a man cannot set downe a Lawe certeine in this behalfe; yet must euery man be a rule to himself, to doe according to his own abilitie and according to ye need that he seeth in his neighbors.

Now here is added yet further, That God will bless such as do so, according as he had begun yesterday to promise his blessing to all such as were so liberally minded towards the succouring of the poor. And this serveth still to correct the cursed unbelief that holdeth our hearts locked up so as no man mindeth aught else than himself and his own profit. For it seemeth to us that if we forgo never so little of that which we have, we be in the way to be undone by it. That is the cause why every man holds fast, & never thinks he hath enough. O (say we) it is true that we may do so and so: but thereby I should be impaired, & I cannot tell what may befall to my self. We cast so many doubts, that we can never find occasion to give any thing. And why so? Forsooth because I might want it my self. But that is a cursed distrust, & such a one as provoketh Gods wrath. For we ought rather to hope well at his hand, that as he hath not failed us heretofore, so he will continue to do us good still. And yet we go to seek these doubts a far off, which we be afraid of: insomuch that it grieveth us even to hear them spoken of. If a man should say to us, such a thing may befall thee if thy house should be burned, & all thy goods be consumed in it, & thou be driven to sell thy lands & possessions, in what case wart thou then? None of these songs would please us, but we would chafe and storm at him that should speak so. And why? For a rich man would fain sleep in his riches, he hopeth that he shall stand always at one stay, & he foadeth himself in his delights. But in the mean while, if he be to do any good; he by & by forecasteth, O such a thing might befall me; famine & war & I wot not what else must be feared. We heap together all the mischances that can be devised. And to what end? Even to shut up our harts & our hands; that we might do no man good. Now our Lord minding to correct such distrust, bringeth us back to his blessing, & saith, Know ye that it belongeth to me to multiply you And therefore ye may well hope that when ye seem to be impaired to the worldward, ye shall have a greater treasure than if ye had kept all that ever could have come to your hands, and had never done any good to your neighbours to succour them withal. For I am rich enough to fill you again, even when you be utterly destitute of all things.