Sermons upon Deuteronomy

There are two things especially wherein we offend our neighbours, to wit, deceit and open violence. For some are given to deceit and malicious wiliness, to deceive and beguile men: others use open wronging and injuries. In privy deceit the most mischievous mean of beguiling that any man can use, is the falsifying of weights and measures. For §30the use of them is the only way for men to buy and sell by, without strife or variance. If we had not money wherewith to buy things; what a disorder should we have? And wares also are commonly sold by weight and measure. Now then if there be deceit either in money or in weights or in measures, the bond of that intercommoning which men have together among themselves is broken: so as they become like dogs and Cats, and there is §40no means for them to deal one with an other. And therefore no marvel though our Lord do greatly mislike the falsifying of weights and measures, and tell us that it is the worst and detestablest robbery that can be. If a thief purpose with him self to take a booty, he will set on a man, and from one he will go to an other. But we are sure there is no thief can pass his bounds so far, as to spoil and rob the whole world. But he §50which useth false weights and false measures, hath no regard at all, when he robbeth; but doeth wrong unto all in general: and that is the next way to pervert all civill order▪ so as no humanity or common honesty may remain any longer among men. What shall Laws do? Or to what purpose shall Justice serve, when there is no more any plain nor upright dealing in those things which should help men to maintain their estate? We have therefore §60a very necessary law in this place, where mention is made of weights and measures. It is said: Thou shalt not have diverse stones in thy bag. And that is because in old time they were wont to make their weights of stone. And this importeth as much as if it were said: Thou shalt have a just weight and a just measure. Moreover let us bear in mind always that which hath been said before, namely that GOD oftentimes under one special kind, giveth a general doctrine. And so it is all one as if we were commanded generally in all buying and selling, to use reasonable and upright dealing without any falsehood.

THere are two thinges especiallie wherein wee offende our neighbours, to wit, deceyte and open violence. For some are giuen to deceite and malicious wilinesse, to deceiue and beguile men: others vse open wronging and iniuries. In priuie deceite the most mischeeuous meane of beguiling that any man can vse, is the falsifying of weightes and measures. For