Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Howbeit let us mark herewithall, that he is a consuming fire to devour our enemies. When we see our enemies threaten us, and that they become proud and stately against us, so as it may seem that they should destroy us with their only looks: let us take hold of Gods power to comfort us in all our afflictions, and let us consider that it is enough for us that God is a consuming fire. Thus ye see how we must apply this doctrine to double use: first, that it may be as a bridle to hold us in awe and subjection under our God: and secondly that it may be as a bulwark to outstand all temptations. When we be stricken in fear, because we hear that our enemies do practise all that ever they can against us: and that it is in their hand to overthrow us and destroy us: yet let us come still back to this point and say, Well then, and what shall our God do? Think we that he •itteth idle in heaven? In deed it may well be that for a time he will suffer us to be vexed, and to have our necks under the sword, and to be as silly sheep led to the slaughter: but yet for all that, our life is precious in his sight, because he hath chosen us to be his heritage. And although he suffer us to be troubled for a time: yet in the end he will make us to perceive that he was always at hand with us, so as we shall have continual cause to glorify him, specially when we shall see that he shall have overthrown all those which now have their whole swing against us, in comparison of whom we be nothing at all. Thus much concerning the saying wherein God is called a consuming fire.

Howbeit let vs marke herewithall, that he is a consuming fire to deuour our enemies. When wee see our enemies threaten vs, and that they become proude and stately against vs, so as it may seeme that they shoulde destroy vs with their onely lookes: let vs take holde of Gods power to comfort vs in all our afflictions, and let vs consider that it is ynough for vs that God is a consuming fire. Thus ye see howe we must apply this doctrine to double vse: first, that it may bee as a brydle to holde vs in awe and subiection vnder our God: and secondly that it may bee as a bulwarke to outstande all temptations. When wee bee striken in feare, because wee heare that our enemies doe practise all that euer they can against vs: and that it is in their hande to ouerthrowe vs and destroy vs: yet let vs come still backe to this point and say, Well then, and what shall our God doe? Thinke wee that he •itteth ydle in heauen? In deede it may well bee that for a time hee will suffer vs to bee vexed, and to haue our neckes vnder the sworde, and to bee as silly sheepe led to the slaughter: but yet for all that, our life is precious in his sight, because hee hath chosen vs to bee his heritage. And although hee suffer vs to bee troubled for a time: yet in the ende hee will make vs to perceiue that hee was alwayes at hande with vs, so as wee shall haue continuall cause to glorifie him, specially when wee shall see that hee shall haue ouerthrowen all those which now haue their whole swindge against vs, in comparison of whom wee be nothing at all. Thus much concerning the saying wherein God is called a consuming fire.