Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now we see here first of all, that men recoil a hundred paces back, when they ween to go forward but one, at leastwise beyond the will of God. This people was ⟨p. 58⟩near their enemies, they did but put themselves in a readiness, and as soon as they were armed, they gave charge upon them. They needed not to retire for the matter, that is to say, they needed not to remove: for we see how they be chased, and not only beaten down there in the same place: but that God also driveth them before the wind, as chaff or dust is driven. Ye see then here is a fair looking-glass to show us that when men presume to make themselves §10redoubted, they do no sooner set one foot forward, but God plucketh them an hundred leagues back, and that to their great confusion. What is to be done then? Obedience must always be as a cresset unto us to show us the way, so as we may first and foremost know what God hath appointed, and thereupon take courage to go, when we be sure that he guideth our footsteps. For thereupon we may boldly conclude, that the end thereof shall be good,§20 and that there shall follow nothing of it but prosperity. But contrariwise, if we will needs be leaping out, when God will have us sit still at home: it will cost us very dear. Thus ye see what we have to remember upon this text of Moses, where he saith expressly that the people were chased even unto Horma, and that they came unto Cades.

Now wee see here first of all, that men recoyle a hundred paces backe, when they weene to goe forewarde but one, at leastewise beyonde the will of God. This people was ⟨p. 58⟩neere their enemies, they did but put themselues in a readinesse, and as soone as they were armed, they gaue charge vppon them. They needed not to retyre for the matter, that is to say, they needed not to remoue: for wee see how they be chased, and not onely beaten downe there in the same place: but that God also dryueth them before the winde, as chaffe or dust is driuen. Ye see then here is a fayre lookingglasse to shewe vs that when men presume to make themselues §10redoubted, they doe no sooner set one foote foreward, but God plucketh them an hundred leagues backe, and that to their great confusion. What is to be done then? Obedience must alwayes be as a cresset vnto vs to shew vs the way, so as we may first and formost knowe what God hath appointed, and thereupon take courage to goe, when we be sure that he guideth our footesteppes. For thereupon wee may boldely conclude, that the ende thereof shall bee good,