Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now we have to note here, that when we have received any displeasure, if the workers thereof have done us any good in times past, we must lay them both into the balance, and the good must countervail the evil. Truly although this commandment were not, yet were it not lawful for us to desire revenge: insomuch that even this one reason ought to stay us and withhold us, namely, that if we be beholden to a man, and he chance afterward to do us some wrong, we should call to mind the good that we have received at this hand, and the same must be as a bridle to us. And it is the very same thing which God considered when he would not have his people to practise any thing against the Egyptians. But what soever came of it, he would not that there should be any familiarity betwixt them, & not without cause. For it was so froward a nation, that his people could have learned nothing but evil among them. Again, their idolatry was as excessive and out of all measure as could be. Therefore was it good that the children of Israel should be utterly separated from Egypt, least they might be wrapped in their superstitions. And we see how greatly the Prophets stood upon that point:¹ and yet it booted not at all. For it was the place which the children of Israel fled unto for refuge, as oft as they were troubled by other nations.² In so much that when the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah were at division, if the one had the help of the Assyrians, the other resorted into Egypt, and so were the cause of their own destruction. And all this mischief fell out, because they did it against this forewarning, for God had forbidden them sufficiently afore hand. Therefore let us bear in mind, that when we see corruptions before us, we must not enter into them wilfully, except we intend to tempt God: but when we see occasions ⟨p. 652⟩of evil, we shun them not, but rather run into them, and we will needs be overhardie. And therefore let us learn to abstain from all things that may seduce us or make us overshoot our selves.

Nowe wee haue to note here, that when wee haue receiued any displeasure, if the workers thereof haue done vs any good in times past, wee must lay them both into the balance, and the good must counteruaile the euill. Truely although this commaundement were not, yet were it not lawfull for vs to desire reuenge: insomuch that euen this one reason ought to staye vs and witholde vs, namely, that if wee bee beholden to a man, and he chaunce afterwarde to doe vs some wrong, wee shoulde call to mynde the good that wee haue receiued at this hande, and the same must bee as a brydle to vs. And it is the very same thing which God considered when hee woulde not haue his people to practise any thing against the Egyptians. But what soeuer came of it, he would not that there shold bee any familiaritie betwixt them, & not without cause. For it was so frowarde a nation, that his people could haue learned nothing but euill among them. Againe, their idolatrie was as excessiue and out of all measure as could be. Therfore was it good that the children of Israel shold bee vtterly separated from Egypt, least they might bee wrapped in their superstitions. And we see howe greatly the Prophets stoode vpon that poynt: