Sermons upon Deuteronomy

the Prophets as true expounders of Moses, and as renewers and bringers of the Law to remembrance again, having showed unto the people the unbelief and rebellion which they saw in them, and having showed the vengeance of God which was ready to light upon them for it, did bring those back again unto Jesus Christ, which erst were altogether unreformable. And albeit that it behoved them to suffer smart for a time because of their sins; yet do they give them hope that God will make a covenant with them, and that then they shall sleep every man in his vineyard and under his fig tree: doing them to understand that although they slept not in a locked chamber, but lay in the middest of the fields, yet they should be safe enough because they were under the protection of their God, by reason whereof they might sleep at ease and in safety.

the Prophets as true expounders of Moses, and as renuers and bringers of the Lawe to rememberance againe, hauing shewed vnto the people the vnbeliefe and rebellion which they sawe in them, and hauing shewed the vengeance of God which was readie to light vpon them for it, did bring those back againe vnto Iesus Christ, which erst were altogether vnreformable. And albeit that it behoued them to suffer smart for a time because of their sinnes; yet doe they giue them hope that God will make a couenant with them, and that then they shall sleepe euery man in his vyneyarde and vnder his figge tree: doing them to vnderstande that although they slept not in a locked chamber, but lay in ye middest of the fields, yet they should be safe ynough because they were vnder the protection of their God, by reason whereof they might sleepe at ease and in safetie.

Forasmuch then as we have such assurance, we ought to be well settled in our minds: and sith we have understanding of the reconciliation that is made in our Lord Jesus Christ, we have now good cause to rest us in our God, and to be still and quiet; howbeit, so as we forget not so great a benefit. And we see that our Lord Jesus Christ is minded to reign among us. Let us therefore suffer our selves to be governed by his hand, and as Ewes and Lambs let us follow our shepherd, and then shall we do that which our Lord hath appointed for us, so as nothing may hinder us, but that we may attain unto him. Although we see things turmoiled in this world, so as all goes to havoc, yet shall we be able to take breath again, and to say; Yet hath my God still showed me the way: insomuch that whereas other men have been posted to and fro, I have evermore stood fast: and although I have been diverse ways troubled and vexed, yet do I know Lord that thou doest evermore govern thy people. Thus ye see that being stayed in our Lord Jesus Christ, we may be assured that GOD will never fail us. Seeing it is so, let us return unto him, and pray him to defend and deliver us from all evil. The way then for us to be sure of our life, is, that although we see nothing but continual war, yet we must enforce our selves to fight, and persevere until we have obtained the victory, and if he take us away to himself, he will then be the keeper of our souls. He will guide us in this present life, so as