Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now Moses addeth immediately, If thou say in thine heart, Alas these Nations are moe in number than I, & how is it possible that I should discomfit them? Remember what thy God did in the land of Egypt, how he handled Pharaoh & at his people, & what proof of his power he gave thee there. For even so will he do §40to all the Nations whom thou art afraid of. Here Moses intendeth to hearten the people, to the intent they should not be daunted with fearfulness. For the thing that doeth commonly hinder men in doing their duty, is a certain fearfulness which they conceive. O (say they) this is hard to be done: and again, if I do it, I shall stir up many mens displeasure against me, and such a harm may come to me by it. Thus in stead of walking as God commandeth us, we §50bow with every blast, and in the end turn quite away. We be but over bold and hardy in following our own passions, and we be so blinded with them, that although there be danger in them, yet we think not upon it: and although it come to our mind, yet do our affections so overmaster us, that we cease not to go on still. We see that if a man be in a rage, although death be before his eyes, yet he goeth through with it like a mad man, or like a beast that is carried away §60with furiousness. After that manner do we deal. And that is the cause why I said that we be but too bold in executing our own wicked and excessive mood. But if God command us any thing: we make such niceness at it, as is pitiful to see. And then come all these doubts in our head: How is it possible that I should hold out, if I should follow my vocation faithfully? For behold, there is such a block in my way, I shall have such a man mine enemy, such a thing may befall me, such a man will be against me. All these forecasts (say I) will come to our mind. And therefore let us mark, that God doth not without cause say thus to his people here, do these things, not respecting thine own power, and ability, but respecting and knowing my strength: for that is invincible. If thou have me on thy side, fear not but I will make thee overcome all thine encumbrances, and all the evil encounters that thou canst meet with. Thus ye see in effect what we have to mark upon this text.

Now Moses addeth immediatly, If thou say in thine heart, Alas these Nations are moe in nūber than I, & how is it possible that I should discomfite them? Remember what thy God did in the land of Egypt, how he handled Pharao & at his people, & what proofe of his power he gaue thee there. For euen so will hee doe