Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And therefore let us learn to call upon GOD, that he may vouchsafe to give us courage at need, and that we may be strengthened by him: for else what will become of us? We shall be as weak as water, though no man press much upon us. And this must teach us to walk the more warily, considering the weakness or rather brittleness that is in us: to the intent we be not so foolish, as to ground our selves upon our own strength and courage, but pray unto GOD to hold us with his mighty hand, and to give us invincible constancy. Now if we be so unable to encounter with mortal men: how much more unable are we to encounter our ghostly enemies? Are we able to withstand Satan and all his assaults? Alas, we come far short. And therefore let us follow the counsel that is given us here: let us pray GOD to drive away Satan, and to cut a sunder all the cords which hold us here fast tied, and therewithal to give us such power to resist him, as we may have victory even unto the end. Thus ye see what we have to remember upon this text of Moseses.

And therefore let vs learne to call vppon GOD, that hee may vouchsafe to giue vs corage at neede, and that wee may bee strengthened by him: for else what will become of vs? Wee shall bee as weake as water, though no man preace much vpon vs. And this must teach vs to walke the more warely, considering the weakenesse or rather brittlenesse that is in vs: to the intent wee bee not so foolish, as to ground our selues vppon our owne strength and courage, but pray vnto GOD to holde vs with his mightie hande, and to giue vs inuincible constancie. Nowe if wee bee so vnable to incounter with mortall men: howe much more vnable are wee to incounter our ghostly enemies? Are wee able to withstand Satan and all his assaults? Alas, wee come farre short. And therefore let vs followe the counsell that is giuen vs heere: let vs pray GOD to driue away Satan, and to cut a sunder all the cordes which holde vs heere fast tyed, and therewithall to giue vs such power to resist him, as wee may haue victorie euen vnto the ende. Thus yee see what wee haue to remember vppon this text of Moseses.

Furthermore where as he saith, that God led his people about by the space of eight and thirty years, until such time as all those that were able to bear armour at the time that the people murmured, were consumed: it serveth still to bring to remembrance the thing that hath been spoken: namely that God executed the vengeance which he had threatened to his people. And (as we see) it is a very profitable lesson, to teach us to tremble at Gods threatenings, as well as to be moved at his promises. Such is our nature, that when GOD promiseth us any thing, we fall to scanning and disputing of it, so as we cannot rest upon it, to say it shall be so: we cannot conclude that it is Gods will. True it is that we will confess it with our mouth: but as for to be fully resolved of it, we will none of that, unless his trueth be well sealed and warranted in our hearts by his holy spirit. And yet even then too, we be so inclined to distrust, that we draw still back from the thing that God promiseth us: so brutish and dull-headed are we.