Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But we have also to mark how Moses saith, That Og king of Bashan came flinging forth to give battle. wherein he showeth that the people [of Israels] war was just and lawful. For although they had express commandment from God, to arm themselves and to put Og king of Bashan to the sword, not at their own pleasure, but upon the authority of him that hath all power: yet was it Gods will to minister a just cause thereof unto them, that they might be the more assured in their conscience. And thereby we be warned (as I have said heretofore) not to attempt any thing against right and reason. If we will have GOD to bless our doings, and to make them prosper, and bring them to good end: let us beware that we stir not so much as one finger unadvisedly, or contrarily to that which is showed us by Gods word. For what is it that can make us rightly hardy in all things? The having of a good warrant in our own consciences, that we have walked according to Gods commandment, and gone no further than equity and right will bear. If we be sure of that: then may we look for help from above, and we shall not be disappointed. But if we neglect the difference between good and bad, and run to things upon a head: it is good reason that God should beguile us, and that we should be confounded in our doings. Thus ye see what we have to mark here, when Og king of Bashan came forth as an enemy to provoke the children of Israel, in such wise as their war became just. For no doubt but this enemy was offered him of Gods hand, as we saw that Sehon was yesterday, whom God hardened because he was minded to overthrow him. After the same manner happened it to Og the king of Bashan.

But wee haue also to marke how Moses saith, That Og king of Basan came flinging foorth to giue battell. wherein hee sheweth that the people [of Israels] warre was iust and lawfull. For although they had expresse commaundement from God, to arme themselues and to put Og king of Basan to the sword, not at their owne pleasure, but vppon the authoritie of him that hath all power: yet was it Gods wil to minister a iust cause thereof vnto them, that they might be the more assured in their conscience. And thereby wee bee warned (as I haue sayd heretofore) not to attempt any thing against right and reason. If we will haue GOD to blesse our doinges, and to make them prosper, and bring them to good ende: let vs beware that wee stirre not so much as one finger vnaduisedly, or contrarily to that which is shewed vs by Gods worde. For what is it that can make vs rightly hardye in all things? The hauing of a good warrant in our owne consciences, that wee haue walked according to Gods commaundement, and gone no further than equitie and right will beare. If wee be sure of that: then may wee looke for helpe from aboue, and wee shall not bee disapointed. But if wee neglect the difference betweene good and bad, and runne to thinges vppon a head: it is good reason that God shoulde beguile vs, and that wee should be confounded in our doinges. Thus yee see what wee haue to marke here, when Og king of Basan came foorth as an enemie to prouoke the children of Israell, in such wise as their warre became iust. For no doubt but this enemy was offered him of Gods hand, as wee sawe that Sehon was yesterday, whome God hardened because hee was minded to ouerthrowe him. After the same maner happened it to Og the king of Basan.