Divine efficacy without humane power. Opened in a sermon preached at St. Margarets Church…

And now when he is made willing to go, and hath captivated his reason unto Gods Will, the Lord himself removes the great reason, which lay as a discouragement upon him; the fear of those that sought his life, ver. 19. leaves not any doubt unremoved which might have disheartened him in the work.

And now when he is made willing to go, and hath captivated his reason unto Gods Will, the Lord himself removes the great reason, which lay as a discouragement upon him; the fear of those that sought his life, ver. 19. leaves not any doubt unremoved which might have disheartned him in the work.

So he dealt with Gideon, called him to great service, to deliver Israel from the Midianites, Judges 6. 13. Gideon is presently at Moses his fence, My family is poor, and I the meanest in it, wherewith shall I save Israel? ver. 15. Wherewith? By my Power, I am with thee, v. 16. How shall I know that? Show me a sign, v. 17. The sign comes, and that puts him into a new feare. Timor etiam auxilia reformidat. It betrays the succours which God and Reason offer, ver. 22. The Lord removes that fear, Thou shalt not die, ver. 23. but even then sets him upon a work which endangered his life, v. 25—30. His Father hath no sooner satisfied the people, and saved his life, ver. 31, 32. but a new fear ariseth, the Midianites and Amalekites gather together against Israel. Gideon obeys Gods call, but wants signs to remove doubts, ver. 34—40. He is gratified in them; but then he is exercised with a great temptation. His Army must be lessened from thirty two thousand unto but three hundred men. He obeys, but fears still, Judg. 7. 10. and this fear is removed by a dream of one in the enemies camp, ver. 13, 14. And being so many ways confirmed, he sets on the work and prevaileth.

So he dealt with Gideon, call'd him to great service, to deliver Israel from the Midianites, Judges 6. 13