Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But the true and natural meaning is that which we have set down in the second place, that is▪ that God would have every man to protest, that he hath not ceased to do his duty for any necessity or extremity §50wherein he was. For we think we are dispensed with all when we cannot discharge our duty without great pain & much ado. For example, he that hath nothing to pay, thinketh he is quit of his debt. And it is commonly said in the proverb. That need hath no law. And so because men are wont to make necessity a shield & buckler for all the evils which they commit, therefore it is said, I have not withheld mine offerings in the anguish of my heart. As if we confessed, that although §60we have bin so distressed, what we knew nor on which side to turn us, that we had no bread to eat, yet we have not bin tempted thereby so do evil, but we have walked according to the will of God. Although we have been in extreme need; yet have we not ceased always to deal uprightly and indifferently, what need so ever we were in. This is it in effect which is meant by this place. And mention is purposely made of the anguish of the heart, to the intent we should know, that although there be much weakness in us, yet is it not a sufficient excuse to do evil. There are many which when they have used any deceit, pilfering or extortion; will allege and say: Oh consider I am weak, I have no such constancy as others have, the tentation overcame me. But GOD in this place allegeth, that his children may be tempted (for the anguish of the heart is a sign that we be made neither of steel nor stone,) that we have stings in us, to prick us and to hold us in bondage; but yet that we must fight against them whatsoever cometh of it. Therefore let us learn that although poverty be hard and grievous; yet notwithstanding we ought to resist all the temptations which we feel in our heart, and therewithal to walk uprightly. This is a fit lesson for poor folk, to the intent they bear not themselves in hand, that in their need it is lawful for them to catch what they can get, and to seek their advantage as many do; saying: Ye see there is none that pitieth me, I must look unto my self: thereupon they make no conscience either to sell counterfeit wares or otherwise to discharge themselves very ill of their duty.

But the true and natural meaning is that which we haue set down in the second place, that is▪ that God would haue euery man to protest, that he hath not ceassed to doe his duetie for anie necessitie or extremitie