Sermons upon Deuteronomy

That then is the thing in effect, which we have to note, in that our Lord saith that there shall no judgement of death pass upon a man that shall have given his neighbour a deadly blow, without any malice borne to him before: but that he shall be quit, if his striking of him were without forepurpose or intent of will.

That then is the thing in effect, which we haue to note, in that our Lorde sayth that there shall no iudgement of death passe vppon a man that shall haue giuen his neighbour a deadly blowe, without any malice borne to him before: but that hee shall bee quitte, if his stryking of him were without forepurpose or intent of will.

And furthermore we see here in few words, how our Lord meant to forbid us to be moved to anger one against another, and hath vouchsafed to bear with our imperfections so far, that to eschew greater inconveniences, he will have the guiltless person to get him out of the way for a time. True it is (as I have declared heretofore) that his intent is also to show how greatly we ought to abhor murder. But howsoever the case stand, yet it doth behoove us to mark well Gods gracious goodness, in maintaining peace and concord by all means possible. Were we such as we ought to be, there should be as it were but one common league of fellowship among us: but now are we fain to be separated asunder; so as every man getteth himself alone, every man hath his goods by himself, every man hath his possessions several, and every man hath as it were a propriety alone: and that is because of our infirmity. And true it is that this Law might be general: but there are many other means whereby God showeth us how he beareth with our infirmities. Is it not a piteous case that two brethren cannot live quietly together, without contention and strife; and that even the father and the son also should be at the same point? These are shameful things and utterly against nature, so as it may well be said that we be worse than wild beasts, seeing that even they which are linked together in so near and holy bond, cannot bear one with another that they might live together in friendship. But what? The vices of men are so great, that to eschew greater mischiefs, sometime the parties that ought to be nearest together, are fain to be set furthest asunder. And the same manner of dealing doth God use in this place. He will have a man to forsake his own house and possessions, and to go into a strange place. And wherefore? To the end that the party which was moved to wrath for love of his neighbour, should have no occasion to do worse, nor be provoked by seeing him before his eyes. Now then sith we see this, let us briefly market the goodness which God useth towards us, which is more than the love of a father, in that he beareth with us in our vices, and findeth fit means to keep us from flinging out at random, and moreover giveth us warning by his own example to prevent or cut off all occasions of evil. Therefore let us beware: