Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Furthermore let us mark well, that this doctrine could not stand, unless we were unable to fight for our selves. For were we of power to resist our enemies, Gods fighting for us were §60more than needed. Then doth it follow, that his fighting is because we have no power at all, because our arms are as good as broken, and because we be lame from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head. And in good sooth, if the Jews having to do but only with mortal and transitory enemies, needed to have God to fight for them: what had we need of? I pray you, when we see Satan and all the world ready to give assault upon us, yea and that he hath already gotten the forehand of us, and in the mean while we have neither wall, nor bank to hold them out, but (which is worse) all our own lusts are as darts wherewith Satan may serve his turn to wound us with all: can we defend our selves, having so hard a battle to bear out? No: and so we see how the poor papists are deceived, in presuming upon their own freewill, and in bearing themselves on hand that if they have never so little help of God, they can well enough get the upper hand of Satan. On the contrary part, it is not said that God will supply some little default with his power, and that we must fight first to prevent him: it is not said so, but that it is our God that fighteth for us. It followeth then that all that ever we do, is done by the only power that he giveth us, so as it is borrowed of him.

Furthermore let vs marke well, that this doctrine could not stande, vnlesse wee were vnable to fight for our selues. For were wee of power to resiste our enemies, Gods fighting for vs were §60more than needed. Then doth it follow, that his fighting is because wee haue no power at all, because our armes are as good as broken, and because wee bee lame from the sole of the foote to the crowne of the head. And in good sooth, if the Iewes hauing to doe but onelie with mortall and transitorie enemies, needed to haue God to fight for them: what had we need of? I pray you, when wee see Satan and all the worlde readie to giue assault vpon vs, yea and that he hath alreadie gotten the forehand of vs, and in the meane while wee haue neither wall, nor banke to holde them out, but (which is worse) all our owne lustes are as dartes wherewith Satan may serue his turne to wound vs with all: can wee defend our selues, hauing so hard a battell to beare out? No: and so wee see how the poore papistes are deceiued, in presuming vppon their owne freewill, and in bearing themselues on hand that if they haue neuer so little helpe of God, they can well enough get the vpper hand of Satan. On the contrary part, it is not sayd that God will supply some little default with his power, and that wee must fight first to preuent him: it is not sayde so, but that it is our God that fighteth for vs. It followeth then that all that euer wee doe, is done by the onely power that hee giueth vs, so as it is borrowed of him.