Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now it is said, When thou vowest unto GOD, acquit thy self and perform that which thou shalt have pronounced with thine own mouth and of thine own good will. If thou doest not vow at all, or forbear to do it, thou shalt not sin. Here we see first of all how God would not bind men; but left them at liberty, to the intent they should serve him of a more frank and free good will. Saint Paul saith that GOD loveth him which giveth with a cheerful affection,¹ that is to say, with a mind void of constraint, and of a pure devotion as men call it. For if we offer any thing unto God of necessity: as if we do an alms being constrained thereto, or full sore against our wills: it is rejected of him, as a man shall see these miserable pinch pennies do, who when they give an alms do gnash their teeth at it, and would if it were possible withhold themselves from bestowing of any, and when they open one hand, would hold fast in the other whatsoever escapeth them. May such offerings be acceptable unto GOD? Doubtless no. Ye see then the reason why we say now that GOD would not tie men in any strait bond, but rather leave them free unto themselves, to the intent he might be served with a sincere and freehearted affection. And that is the cause why Moses saith here expressly. If thou vow not, it shall not be imputed unto thee for sin.

Nowe it is saide, When thou vowest vnto GOD, acquite thy selfe and performe that which thou shalte haue pronounced with thyne owne mouth and of thyne owne good will. If thou doest not vowe at all, or forbeare to doe it, thou shalt not sinne. Here wee see first of all howe God woulde not binde men; but left them at libertie, to the intent they shoulde serue him of a more franke and free good will. Saint Paul saith that GOD loueth him which giueth with a cheerefull affection,¹ that is to say, with a minde voide of constraint, and of a pure deuotion as men call it. For if wee offer any thing vnto God of necessitie: as if wee doe an almes beeing constrayned thereto, or full sore against our willes: it is reiected of him, as a man shall see these miserable pinch pennies do, who when they giue an almes doe gnashe their teeth at it, and woulde if it were possible withholde themselues from bestowing of any, and when they open one hande, woulde hold fast in the other whatsoeuer escapeth them. May such offeringes bee acceptable vnto GOD? Doubtles no. Yee see then the reason why wee say nowe that GOD woulde not tie men in any straite bonde, but rather leaue them free vnto themselues, to the intent hee might bee serued with a syncere and freehearted affection. And that is the cause why Moses saith here expressely. If thou vowe not, it shall not be imputed vnto thee for sinne.