Sermons upon Deuteronomy

and yet should God be fain to dance attendance at all hours, to do the things that our imagination hath dreamed or doted upon? Therefore let us have the modesty to look unto that which God promiseth. And when we once have that promise, we must no more reply against it, but be contented with his speaking of the word, and go on boldly. Be not afraid (saith the Lord) I will deliver him into thy hand. And when our Lord had said, I will deliver him into thy hand: he added for a conclusion, therefore be not afraid. But how must we apply this doctrine to our instruction?

and yet shoulde God bee faine to daunce attendance at all houres, to doe the thinges that our imagination hath dreamed or doted vpon? Therefore let vs haue the modestie to looke vnto that which God promiseth. And when wee once haue that promise, we must no more reply against it, but bee contented with his speaking of the worde, and goe on boldly. Be not afraid (sayth the Lord) I will deliuer him into thy hand. And when our Lorde had sayd, I will deliuer him into thy hand: he added for a conclusion, therefore be not afrayd. But how must wee apply this doctrine to our instruction?

First and foremost let us look that God promise. If we were cumbered with any perplexity or anguish, and knew not whether God would leave us in the mire or no: we might well be afraid: and if we would not be afraid, we should be too blockish. But when God saith unto us, my children, it is true that you be weak, you can do nothing of your selves, and you have too strong an enemy, by means whereof ye could by no means withstand him if ye were not helped and upheld by me: but I tell you, your temptations shall not be greater than you shall be able to bear,¹ I know what your power is, I will give you strength and courage at your need, I will mitigate the temptations that might overthrow you, and although the world and the devil be stark mad against you, yet will I bridle them, so that although you be roughly assailed, yet shall you overcome them: trust thereunto. Hath God spoken as this man telleth us? let us never doubt of it. Not that we can be utterly exempted from all fear, so long as we live in this world: Insomuch that although we have Gods promises, whereby we be assured that he will never leave us, but that we shall cuer feel eis help at our need: yet must we not think that we shall be utterly void of care and doubt, or that we should not beware of the dangers that environ us round about. No, but yet must not this fear so overawe us, as we should not take hart to call upon God, and to rest upon him, and to go on still forward. Therefore when as it is said, I will help thee, be not afraid: our Lord will have us to fight in such wise against all fear, as it may not so overmaster us, as to make us give over, and turn head, and start away, so as we should be utterly dismayed: but rather that in standing in awe, we should also hope & take courage to go forward, forasmuch as we have God on our fide. Thus yee see what is to be remembered here.