Sermons upon Deuteronomy

I could not more clearly perceive the murder, than by beholding that the party is a rank naughtipacke, a despiser of God, such a one as hath neither faith nor honesty, a cutthroat and robber, of a spiteful stomach, and full of poison, so as he is utterly out of all square. I pray you is it meet I should be blinded still when I see such proofs? Now then let us mark well that whereas Moses speaks here of the time past: it is to show us that God will help us to the knowledge of matters and of the truth of them, so we on our side shut not the gate, nor quench not the light when it is offered us. Lo what we have to bear in mind.

I coulde not more clearly perceiue the murther, than by beholding that the partie is a rank naughtipacke, a despiser of God, such a one as hath neither faith nor honestie, a cutthrote and robber, of a spitefull stomacke, and ful of poison, so as he is vtterly out of all square. I pray you is it meete I should be blinded still when I see such proofes? Now then let vs marke well that whereas Moses speakes here of the time past: it is to shew vs that God wil helpe vs to the knowledge of matters and of the truth of them, so wee on our side shut not the gate, nor quenche not the light when it is offered vs. Loe what wee haue to beare in minde.

And on the other part let us mark also, that if we have known a man to be of a good conscience, and seen none other signs in him but of the fear of GOD, of honesty, and of upright dealing: we must not lightly take upon us to charge him with any crime. For to what purpose should it serve such as have lived as becometh them, to have given good example all their life long: if every ill report should be admitted against them at the first dash, so as they should be condemned without further inquiry? So then let us mark, that God meant here to restrain us from judging unadvisedly, and from thinking amiss on such as have lived aright.

And on the other part let vs marke also, that if wee haue knowen a man to be of a good conscience, and seene none other signes in him but of the feare of GOD, of honestie, and of vpright dealing: wee must not lightly take vppon vs to charge him with any cryme. For to what purpose shoulde it serue such as haue lyued as becommeth them, to haue giuen good example all their lyfe long: if euerie ill repor shoulde bee admitted against them at the first dashe, so as they should be condemned without further inquirie? So then let vs marke, that God meant here to restraine vs from iudging vnaduisedly, and from thinking amisse on such as haue liued aright.