Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Thus we see in effect what we have to remember, concerning the rooting out of those whom God knowing to be past amendment, would not suffer to welter any longer in their own dung, because he had borne with them enough and too much already.

Thus we see in effect what we haue to remember, cōcerning the rooting out of those whō God knowing to be past amendment, would not suffer to welter any lōger in their own dung, bicause he had borne with them ynough and too much alreadie.

And it is said expressly, God hath delivered them into thy hand to put them to death. This is a watchword which he giveth to his people, to the intent they should the willinglier obey this commandment. As if he should say, he that will give you the victory, willeth you to deal so. And is it not reason [then that ye should do it?] Yes, for how should we use Gods gifts, but according to his will? So then, Moses confirmeth the doctrine that he setteth forth to the people: as if he should say, Look about thee, thou must not dispose after thine own pleasure, of them whom thou shalt overcome. For if thou spare them under colour that thou hast subdued them, and that they be in thy hand, & that thou hast conquered them: it will cost thee right dear. For cometh the victory of thy self? No: but it is thy God which hath delivered them into thy hand. And for proo•e thereof, these nations are stronger and mightier than thou, yea and mo in number. How then could you discomfit them, if your God overmastered them not, & were not your Captain, & fought not for you? If the victory were not given you from heaven: how could you obtain it? Now then, come not here to make your vaunts, and to say, we may not dispose of the victory as we list our selves. For it cometh of God, and therefore he must bear all the sway, and you must use such humility, as he may be obeyed, and honoured for the thing which you know to come of him. Thus we see now the intent of Moses.

And it is said expresly, God hath deliuered them into thy hand to put them to death. This is a watchword which he giueth to his people, to the intent they should the willinglier obey this commandement. As if he should say, he that will giue you the victorie, willeth you to deale so. And is it not reason [then that ye should do it?] Yes, for howe should wee vse Gods giftes, but according to his will? So then, Moses confirmeth the doctrine that he setteth forth to the people: as if he should say, Looke about thee, thou must not dispose after thine owne pleasure, of them whō thou shalt ouercome. For if thou spare them vnder colour yt thou hast subdued them, and that they be in thy hand, & that yu hast conquered thē: it wil cost thee right deare. For commeth the victorie of thy self? No: but it is thy God which hath deliuered them into thy hand. And for prooe therof, these natiōs are stronger and mightier than thou, yea and mo in nomber. How then could you discomfit them, if your God ouermaistred them not, & were not your Captain, & fought not for you? If the victorie were not giuen you from heauen: how could you obtaine it? Nowe then, come not heere to make your vauntes, and to say, wee may not dispose of the victorie as wee list our selues. For it commeth of God, and therefore he must beare all the sway, and you must vse such humilitie, as he may bee obeyed, and honoured for the thing which you knowe to come of him. Thus we see now the intent of Moses.