Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Thus see you here a very profitable lesson which is, that because we feel so many infirmities in our selves that there needeth nothing to beat us down, but as soon as the wind bloweth, we be shaken, or else do fall altogether: we perceiving such feebleness in us, must receive the remedy that is offered us here; which is to hearken to the promises of our God. And for as much as he assureth us that he will never fail us; let us trust to that stay: For when the winds, the Storms, and the Tempests of this present world come; we shall never be shaken. Ye see then that the strength and stay, of the faithful, is to rest altogether upon that which God hath promised them. And for that cause doeth Moses say to Joshua, Thou shale put the children of Israel in possession of the land. And Moses speaketh it not at all adventure;¹ but to ratify that which we have seen more at large here before; namely that God had chosen Joshua to that office, and that having committed the charge unto him, he promised him in likewise to uphold him with his mighty hand, Whereupon it is said unto him, be strong, and behave thy self manfully. So then let us learn to fight against all temptations when we have once tasted the force of Gods promises. For it is a token that we give no credit to that which God speaketh, when we continue like Reeds shaking with every wind, and tremble at every trouble that cometh: standing in a mammering, or starting from the right way, and waxing reckless in discharging our duty. As often as such things happen, we show our weakness: and we give good proof that we believe not that which GOD hath spoken. We may well allege and say, As for my self, I hold the promises of God for certain, I doubt not but that whatsoever proceedeth from his mouth is an infallible trueth. We may well so say; but the deed it self proveth that there is nothing in us but hypocrisy, and that we be not firm to go through with that which is commanded us, and to discharge ⟨p. 1098⟩our duty in following our vocation, ne walk steadily when all things seem forlorn. To be short, let us learn that faith is joined with such power, as ought always to make us to go forward still, whithersoever God calleth us: And so shall it do, conditionally that we be grounded upon his word.

Thus see you heere a very profitable lesson which is, yt bycause we feele so many infirmities in our selues yt there needeth nothing to beate vs downe, but as soone as ye wind bloweth, we be shaken, or else doe fall altogether: we perceiuing such feeblenesse in vs, must receiue the remedie that is offered vs here; which is to hearken to the promises of our God. And for as much as hee assureth vs that he will neuer faile vs; let vs trust to that stay: For when the winds, the Stormes, and the Tempestes of this present world come; wee shall neuer bee shaken. Ye see then that the strength and stay, of the faithfull, is to rest altogether vpon that which God hath promised them. And for that cause doeth Moses say to Iosuah, Thou shale put the children of Israell in possession of the land. And Moses speaketh it not at aladuenture;