Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And whereas God declareth how greatly manslaughter §60displeaseth him: let us mark that (as saith Saint John) before him all manner of hatred is accounted for murder.¹ Then ought we to eschew all wrong dealing that may be done against men, for if we have any rancour or enmity towards them in our hearts, we be guilty of murder already afore GOD. Mark that for one point. But here our Lord acquitteth the party that shall have slain a man unwittingly. Behold (saith he,) there shall no judgement of death pass upon such a man: for there is none offence in him. Seeing that the heavenly Judge hath pronounced such sentence: what creature dareth reply against it? Ye see then that such a one is guiltless, and so declared to be before God. Yet notwithstanding he must be fain to forsake his own house and inheritance, and go dwell in a strange place, and suffer many incommodities. And why doth God vex him so, sith he findeth him guiltless? He showeth us that although the party be faultless, yet is it done for examples sake, to the end we should not admit any murderers among us, but punish them as grievously as may be, and utterly abhor them. That is the cause why the party that offendeth unwittingly, shall nevertheless abide some punishment, and become as a man that is put to his penance, to the intent that he may humble himself and acknowledge in this wise: Truly, I meant not to do any harm; and this mischance is befallen me unwittingly: whereby God warneth me that I have great need to pray him to rule both my hands and my feet. And moreover forasmuch as mans blood hath bin shed by me; although there were none evil meant on my part: yet must I be sorry for it, and bear in mind that our Lord maketh such account of mans life: as he will have it always to be had in estimation of us. Let that serve for one point, concerning this law.

And wheras God declareth how greatly manslaughter §60displeaseth him: let vs marke that (as saith Saint Iohn) before him all maner of hatred is accounted for murther.¹ Then ought we to eschewe all wrong dealing that may be done against men, for if wee haue any rancor or enmitie towardes them in our hartes, wee be guiltie of murther alreadie afore GOD. Marke that for one point. But here our Lorde acquitteth the partie that shall haue slayne a man vnwittingly. Behold (saith hee,) there shall no iudgement of death passe vppon such a man: for there is none offence in him. Seeing that the heauenly Iudge hath pronounced such sentence: what creature dareth reply against it? Yee see then that such a one is guitlesse, and so declared to bee before God. Yet notwithstanding hee must bee faine to forsake his owne house and inheritance, and go dwell in a strange place, and suffer many incommodities. And why doth God vexe him so, sith he findeth him guiltlesse? Hee sheweth vs that although the partie be faultlesse, yet is it done for examples sake, to the ende wee shoulde not admit any murderers among vs, but punish them as grieuously as may bee, and vtterly abhorre them. That is the cause why the partie that offendeth vnwittingly, shall neuerthelesse abide some punishment, and become as a man that is put to his penance, to the intent that hee may humble himself and acknowledge in this wise: Truely, I meant not to doe any harme; and this mischaunce is befalne mee vnwittingly: whereby God warneth mee that I haue great neede to pray him to rule both my handes and my feete. And moreouer forasmuch as mans bloude hath bin shed by me; although there were none euil meant on my part: yet must I bee sorie for it, and beare in minde that our Lorde maketh such account of mans lyfe: as he wil haue it alwayes to bee had in estimation of vs. Let that serue for one point, concerning this lawe.