Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now here is also that which Moses addeth, concerning the Cities and the greatness of them, and concerning the Country, and the §60great strength of Og King of Bashan. We took (sayeth he) threescore Cities, which were very well fortified ▪ and furnished in such wise, as there was no likelihood that they should have been easily taken. Moses addeth these circumstances, of purpose to magnify Gods grace the more, that the people might perceive that their strength came not flying in the air, but that it was GOD that gave it them. And that is a point well worthy to be noted. For if it be to vaunt of our own prowess, we can skill well enough to gather the things that may serve for the purpose. O (say we,) I had such a thing and such a thing: I have compassed my matters trimly: such a crink was practised against me a great way off, and I remedied it with such a shift. See my cunning, see my policy: there were such matches and such against me, but I shifted well enough with them all, so as I dispatched them everyone, and mine enemies won nothing at my hand. To be short, we can skill to allege all things that may give a fair gloss and show to our own virtues. But if it be to glorify God, for the relief that we have had at his hand: we run over it as it were upon hot coals (as they say) we remember not the distress that we were in, the danger that we be scaped out of seemeth to be a thing of nothing. See what our lewdness is. So much the more therefore doeth it stand us on hand, to mark what is told us here, that is to wit, that in all the benefits which we have received of God, we must consider in what taking we had been, if we had gone without them: and we shall have matter good store wherewith to do that, if we be not wilfully blind as we are wont to be. For was not the least danger that ever we fell into, enough to abash us? But when a thing toucheth us any thing near: ye shall see us as sore dismayed as may be. In deed if we be once out of it, it is nothing with us: but that is for want of minding it. Yet notwithstanding if we see but a mote or a fly whisking by our eyes: by and by we be dazzled. But yet for all this, out of how great things doeth God deliver us?

Nowe here is also that which Moses addeth, concerning the Cities and the greatnesse of them, and concerning the Countrie, and the §60great strength of Og King of Basan. Wee tooke (saieth he) threescore Cities, which were very well fortified and furnished in such wise, as there was no likelyhood that they should haue bene easily taken. Moses addeth these circumstaunces, of purpose to magnifie Gods grace the more, that the people might perceiue yt their strength came not flying in the aire, but that it was GOD that gaue it them. And that is a point well worthie to bee noted. For if it bee to vaunt of our owne prowesse, we can skill well ynough to gather the thinges that may serue for the purpose. O (say wee,) I had such a thing and such a thing: I haue compassed my matters trimly: such a crink was practised against mee a great way off, and I remedied it with such a shift. See my cunning, see my policie: there were such matches and such against me, but I shifted well ynough with them all, so as I dispatched them euerychone, and mine enemies wonne nothing at my hand. To bee short, wee can skill to alledge all things that may giue a faire glosse and showe to our owne vertues. But if it bee to glorifie God, for the reliefe that wee haue had at his hand: wee runne ouer it as it were vpon hotte coales (as they say) wee remember not the distresse that wee were in, the daunger that wee bee scaped out of seemeth to bee a thing of nothing. See what our lewdnesse is. So much the more therefore doeth it stand vs on hand, to mark what is told vs here, that is to wit, that in all the benefites which wee haue receiued of God, we must consider in what taking wee had bene, if wee had gone without them: and wee shall haue matter good store wherewith to doe that, if we be not wilfully blind as wee are wont to bee. For was not the least daunger that euer we fell into, ynough to abash vs? But when a thing toucheth vs any thing neere: ye shall see vs as sore dismaied as may be. In deede if wee bee once out of it, it is nothing with vs: but that is for want of minding it. Yet notwithstanding if wee see but a mote or a flie whisking by our eyes: by and by wee bee dazeled. But yet for all this, out of howe great things doeth God deliuer vs?