Sermons upon Deuteronomy

There is a second point which I have touched already: and that is, that God would there should be some correction for such as commit manslaughter unawares. And thereby he showeth (as §50I said afore) that he loveth mankind dearly: in so much that if we offend that way, although it be not of malice, but by chance (as they say,) & in such wise as the law which he hath ordained, meaneth, & although we meant not so to do: yet nevertheless we must feel by experience & see with our eyes, how dear mans life is unto him. This is another thing which we have to mark upon this place.

There is a second point which I haue touched alreadie: and that is, yt God would there should bee some correction for such as commit manslaughter vnawares. And thereby he sheweth (as §50I said afore) that he loueth mankinde dearely: in so much that if wee offend that way, although it be not of malice, but by chaunce (as they say,) & in such wise as the lawe which he hath ordained, meaneth, & although we ment not so to do: yet neuerthelesse we must feele by experience & see with our eyes, howe deare mans life is vnto him. This is another thing which wee haue to marke vpon this place.

And herewithall let us mark also, that God intended §60to prevent the dangers, (as we have said) that the kinsfolk might not be provoked: for we be too much subject to our passions, & therefore he purposed to cut of occasions & objects as they term them. In deed it is a wicked imperfection in me, & it is a vice worthy to be condemned, when I hate one that hath slain my brother or my neighbour unwillingly, or when I bear him any grudge. And why? For the poor man is not blame worthy, because God acquitteth him, & there is no fault in him. And yet for all that, I can not find in my heart to look upon him: but if he come towards, my heart riseth against him, & I am moved at him. Therefore am I to blame. Nevertheless GOD seeing our frailty, hath vouchsafed to bear with us in that behalf, & hath not left us without a remedy for it. Now we are warned thereby, to eschew the occasions of all evil to the uttermost of our power: & if God on his part have vouchsafed to deliver us from such temptations, do not they overthrow themselves wilfully, which thrust themselves into them? Sure this lesson is very profitable, & extendeth very far. For we see how a great number stick not to fling out at random & to offend God. And whereby? Through rashness. To their own seeming they be able to resist whatsoever cometh in their way: & thereupon they step forth boldly and without discretion, & they marvel greatly that God should disappoint their overlustinesse, so as they need not any thing else to make them to stumble, yea and to tumble into some gross fault. Seeing then that we be over hardy in hazarding our selves against a number of temptations: let us learn that God by giving us such a law, doth warn us generally to walk in fear. It is true that if God call me to any thing, all the dangers in the world must not hold me back nor stop me. For why? God calleth me, and he will shield me. But if I of mine own foolish rashness will needs adventure upon a thing that God commandeth me not: if it fall out to my harm, what is the cause thereof but the overweening & presumptuousness wherewith I was puffed up? For I considered not mine own frailty, that I should have humbled my self before God to have walked in his fear.