Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now it is said, If there be found either man or woman, to the intent that no frailty should be a shrouding sheet to any evil doing. For else it would be said, it is a woman's deed. If a man of wit, courage, and understanding had done it; it had been to have been regarded: but seeing it is done by silly souls that are easy to be deceived, is it meet that they should be haled to death for it at the first dash? See I pray you how we be wont to qualify things. But God on the contrary part intended to prevent such shifts, by telling us that we must not pass whether it be man or woman, but that the deed of it self is so detestable; as that it ought not abide unpunished. Yet notwithstanding, before we proceed to punishing, he will have us to understand perfectly how the matter goeth, and he will have the truth of the thing tried out. And therefore he saith, When it is reported unto thee, inquire diligently thereof: and if thou find it true, then shalt thou take the party which hath committed such crime, and stone him to death. Hereby our Lord showeth us (as he hath done afore) that we must not be hasty to proceed rashly under pretence of any good will or zeal:¹ but use advisedness that things may be well known. And that is well worth the noting. For we see how unadvised zeal doth often carry men away, and make them to offend GOD. And when it is done, then they say, I did it of a good intent. Yea, but GOD telleth us here, that in this behalf we must behave our selves discreetly. And in deed, God meaneth not that men should so falsely abuse his name: For what a vile thing is this; that I shall suppose that I serve GOD and yet in ⟨p. 633⟩the mean season have no equity nor uprightness in me? Is it not a soul injury, so to intermingle Gods holy name with mine own folly and lewd imagination? Wherefore let us well weigh that God, by this place hath condemned that same too too violent heat which men have, when they suffer themselves to be so carried away by their zeal (as they say) without any moderation or stay at all. Let that serve for one point.

Nowe it is saide, If there be founde either man or woman, to the intent that no frailtie should bee a shrowding sheete to any euill doing. For else it woulde bee saide, it is a womans deede. If a man of wit, courage, and vnderstanding had done it; it had beene to haue beene regarded: but seeing it is done by sillie soules that are easie to be deceiued, is it meete that they shoulde bee haled to death for it at the first dash? See I pray you howe we bee wont to qualifie thinges. But God on the contrarie parte intended to preuent such shiftes, by telling vs that wee must not passe whether it bee man or woman, but that the deede of it selfe is so detestable; as that it ought not abide vnpunished. Yet notwithstanding, before wee proceede to punishing, he will haue vs to vnderstande perfectly howe the matter goeth, and hee will haue the truth of the thing tryed out. And therefore hee saith, When it is reported vnto thee, inquire diligently thereof: and if thou find it true, then shalt thou take the partie which hath committed such crime, and stone him to death. Hereby our Lorde sheweth vs (as he hath done afore) that wee must not bee hastie to proceede rashly vnder pretence of any good will or zeale: