Sermons upon Deuteronomy

men have no regard to think that God hath distributed the goods of this world according unto his own good pleasure, and that his will is, that he which is richest should possess that which he holdeth, and that no man should do him any wrong for it: no not although he be one of the unsatiable gulfs,§40 which think they have never enough. Yet for all that God will not have any man to touch their goods or to do them any wrong. But this is little regarded. And so although God directs his talk in this place expressly to the rich; yet nevertheless he giveth the poor a lesson also, and meaneth to bridle them from going into another mans field to convey away secretly what they can catch, and from entering into their neighbours vineyard to gather §50grapes at their pleasure. Nay, he will have them to abstain from other mens goods, until such time as they may glean after the harvest, and gather the grapes which remain after the vintage. For this leave is granted them, so they come not to spoil like thieves, but to take that which God hath reserved for them. And in very deed we suffer dogs to eat the crumbs and other scraps which fall under the tables: and shall we not suffer our §60brethren, which are made to the image and likeness of God? Ought not they to have part of our abundance, so as they might come and have at leastwise some little pittance to lick up? What great matter is it to gather the grapes which are left when the vintage is gathered? What great matter is it to glean after the harvest? Verily it is but a small thing. And therefore it were too too excessive cruelty in men, if they which have lands & possessions, after they have gathered in the fruit of them, will yet be such niggards as not to permit the poor to have that which they might gather after them. But because men are so distrustful, that they think the whole earth will fail them, God to make this doctrine more available sayeth: I will make thee to prosper, thou shalt be increased and multiplied through my blessing and favour, when thou doest so. There is no doubt but God meant in this place to correct the unbelief which reigneth overmuch in us, in that every of us thinketh that he shall never have enough: O sayeth one, such misfortune may betide me. I must provide for such a hard time.

men haue no regarde to thinke that God hath distributed the goods of this worlde according vnto his owne good pleasure, and that his will is, that hee which is richest should possesse that which hee holdeth, and that no man shoulde doe him any wrong for it: no not although hee bee one of the vnsatiable gulfes,