On Tewsday the vij. of May. 1555. The fifteenth Sermon which is the first vpon the third Chapter.

IF we should [ 30] take y^e thin∣ges that I haue read, but as a sim∣ple reporte of a storie: there would be no pro∣fite at all in the reading. [ 40] But if we be able to ap∣ply it to such vse, as God meant by his holy spi∣rit: it is a very profitable lesson for vs. It is decla∣red here, that the people of Israell smote Og king of Basan, as they had done Sehon king of the Amorrhytes. That (as ye see) is the story. But wee must consider to what purpose GOD meant to haue it registred in his lawe, and pub∣lished by Moses, and brought againe to the peo∣ples [ 50] remembraunce. It was to the ende that the people should knowe, that they had bin guy∣ded by the hand of God, and that when they were deliuered out of the land of Egypt, they wist not where to haue become, vnlesse GOD had continued his fauour towardes them, to put them in possessiō of the land which he had pro∣mised them for their inheritance. But now wee must marke also, that the people were not yet entered into the land of Chanaan: there was [ 60] yet great hardnesse in the matter. And if they had not trusted in God, they might haue bin so scared, as would haue caused them to turne head, and to murmur against God, and to for∣sake the land that had bin promised them. Ther∣fore it was for them to be confirmed. And Mo∣ses hath respect thereunto, in that he setteth be∣fore their eyes, the power where through they withstoode their enemies: which was Gods as∣sisting of them, and his ouer throwing of their enemies. And now that I haue noted that it was Gods wil to haue this story published and con∣firmed, to the end aforesayd: it behoueth vs lykewise to come to our selues, and to apply it also to our owne vse. For all was written for our learning.*

Then let vs marke, that whereas Moses hath sayd here, that Og king of Basan was ouer∣throwen: the people should haue thought thus: Behold, God hath deliuered vs from a second and a third death. For it had bin to no purpose to haue scaped out of Egypt, to haue bin set free from the bondage of Pharao, and to haue pas∣sed through the red Sea: all this had bin nothing, if our God had not strengthened vs, seeing wee haue bin assayled by so mightie and strong ene∣mies, whome we had not bin able to resist. And in good sooth, wee ought to call to minde what hath bin declared before, that is to wit, that the people ran away as soone as their enemies came against them. And why was that? For it was not for them to looke for any succour at Gods hand, because they ran foorth at aduē∣ture with such foolish rashnesse. God had sayd vnto them, yee shall not goe to battell: and yet would they needes hazarde the in∣counter.

Therefore it was meete that they should bee made to knowe their follie to their cost. Yet notwithstanding, the people of Israel knewe wel enough by experience, that they were not of sufficient power to withstand their enemies. But now, for asmuch as nothing was able to Page  86 stand before them: therby it appeared that their obteining of the victorie was not by their owne strength, neither coulde they boast thereof: but it was God that had wrought in that behalfe. And it behoueth vs alwayes to make the same comparison, if wee wil well perceiue Gods grace and fauor towardes vs. For what is the cause that wee take our selues to be strong and stoute, and yeede not God his due prayse? It is for that wee bee bleared: when hee hath reached vs his [ 10] hand, and when hee hath succoured vs at some pinch, wee consider not from whence that commeth. What remedie then? Let vs bethinke our selues thus: Go to, haue I not found my selfe sore combred in very small thinges? Haue not I bin daunted and striken out of hart? And what was the cause thereof, but that God made mee to feele mine owne frailtie? Surely I shoulde bee neuer a whit valeanter now, than I was then: were it not that God gaue me his helpe. So then [ 20] it is some where else than of my selfe, that I haue my strength: and therefore it is nor for mee to aduaunce my selfe through ouerweening: for God hath giuen mee a sure knowledge of my feeblenesse. Now then, I must thinke continu∣ally how to humble my selfe: and when he hath vpheld me by his strong hand, I must acknow∣ledge that that benefite came of him, and that hee will be glorified for the same. Yee see then that the intent why Moses spake so to the peo∣ple [ 30] of Israel, was that they should acknowledge that their ouercomming of their enemies, was not by the power and strength of man, but by Gods fighting for them.

Neuerthelesse, this ought to haue moued them, not onely to honor God, but also to trust in him, as I haue touched before. For it was not enough for the people of Israel to haue conquered the land of Basan: for they had not yet passed the riuer of Iordan where their inheritance lay. [ 40] Therfore it stood them on hād to be armed with newe trust, and to proceede with full purpose to incounter their enemies againe. And whence might they haue such hardinesse? If they had taken it in themselues, it had bin but a rage that God woulde haue condemned: but they must haue imboldened themselues with trust that God would not faile them. And how might they be sure of that? By their owne experience which they had had therof. Why was it that God ouer∣threwe [ 50] as well Sehon, as Og king of Basan? Be∣cause he was the leader of his people, and had taken them into his charge and protection. And that was not to leade them onely to the banke of Iordan: but to performe the promise that he had made to Abraham. And therefore the peo∣ple might conclude, that the victories which they had obtained already, were but an ente∣rance to a further passage, whereby they might fully perswade and assure themselues, that God [ 60] would continue with them euen vnto the ende. Euen so must we doe. If we perceiue any change in our selues, wee must acknowledge it to be the hand of God.

For sometimes, yea oftentimes the faithfull shall finde themselues astonished and abashed vppon the sudden, yea euen though there bee no great cause why. But thereby God warneth them of their infirmitie, to the ende they should walke in awe and feare of him, calling vpon him, and vtterly distrusting their owne strength. A∣gayne, when they see themselues strengthened they knowe that that commeth not of them∣selues, neither are they so foolish as to be proud of it: but they magnify Gods goodnesse and grace towardes them, and take courage vppon the same.

True it is [say they] that wee be wretched and silie creatures: but yet hath our God hel∣ped vs, to the end that wee should trust in him. Therefore let vs on forewarde as he comman∣deth, and let vs not doubt but hee will be the same man to morrowe that he is to day. The remembrance of his promise lasteth longer with him than for a day: and seeing he hath auowed himselfe to be our father, it is not to shake vs off as the bastes doe that forget their young ones, or as the fowles doe which forsake their byrdes whom they bred: but our God is a father to vs both in lyfe and death. Now then, let vs alwayes flee vnder the shadowe of his protection, and assure our selues that his power shall neuer bee diminished towardes vs.

But wee haue also to marke how Moses saith, That Og king of Basan came flinging foorth to giue bat∣tell. 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 vp∣pon the authoritie of him that hath all power: yet was it Gods wil to minister a iust cause there∣of vnto them, that they might be the more as∣sured in their conscience. And thereby wee bee warned (as I haue sayd heretofore) not to at∣tempt 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 con∣sciences, 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 a∣boue, 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 ene∣mie 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 o∣uerthrowe him. After the same maner happe∣ned it to Og the king of Basan.

Now then, let vs learne to beware that wee Page  87 prouoke not one man nor other, by giuing them cause to vexe and molest vs: but if wee haue any enemies, let them beginne the warre, and let vs on our side keepe the peace. Let that be a point for vs to beare away. For if wee begin the fray, by doing them wrong or violence: can wee looke for helpe at Gods hand? Can wee hope that he will fauor vs, when we be so out of order? No: and therefore let vs not goe about to purchase vs enemies: (the diuil wil raise vs vp but too ma∣ny [ 10] of thē: and God also on his side may chance to exercise vs, and worke in such wise as wee shall haue enemies enowe, that will seeke all the meanes they can to persecute vs:)* but let vs for our part seeke to haue peace, to the vttermost of our power.

And besides this, let vs alwayes hope that GOD will assist vs, if the quarell that wee maintaine bee good and rightfull, and such as hee alloweth. These are the thinges which wee [ 20] haue to remember in that it is said that Og ad∣uaunced himselfe, and came forth to assaile the people of Israell, without demaunding any thing at their hand, euen to stop them of the passage that God had giuen them.

Furthermore let vs beare in mind that which hath bin sayd afore, namely,* that the chiefe warre which wee haue, is against our spirituall enemies. Therefore whensoeuer Satan assai∣leth [ 30] vs, and practiseth all the mischiefe that hee can against vs: let vs vnderstand that GOD is minded to exercise vs: but yet shall wee haue wherewith to beare out the brunt, forasmuch as wee shall be strengthened by the power of the holy Ghost. And for the bringing thereof to passe, let vs marke howe it is added here, that God sayth vnto Moses, Be not afraide: for I haue deliuered Og king of Basan into thy hand: therefore shalt thou doe to him as thou diddest vnto Sehon the [ 40] king of the Amorrhytes. Yee see then that here is a promise giuen, to the ende that the people should rest vppon it, and not doubt any more of the victorie, inasmuch as God telleth them that hee will fight for them. And it behoueth vs to marke well this text, because that if wee be destitute of Gods promises: though wee pro∣test neuer so much that wee trust in him: it is but a vaine and fond imagination. And it is not in men to promise themselues any thing. For by [ 50] what right or title may wee holde God bounde vnto vs, so as wee may say, God shall help vs, we shall not faile to be succoured at his hand? It would be to fōd an ouerstatelynes, if men should forge hopes of their owne head after that sort. Nay wee must waite quietly that God shewe vs his wil, and when we once haue the word of his mouth, then may wee stand vppon it. Let vs marke then that there is an inseparable bond, betweene Gods promises and the trust that wee [ 60] haue in him.* The world doth in deede vse the wordes Faith, and Trust: Howbeit vnrightly. For men knowe the cōtrarie to that which they pro∣test, because euery man conceiueth what hee listeth in his fancie, and considereth not what is the will of God. Therefore it behoueth vs to come backe to the order that Moses sheweth vs here: which is, that wee attempt not any thing before God haue first spoken it. For else, our meaning is but to transfigure him after our own pleasure, and looke as euerie man inuenteth fol∣lies in his owne heade: so woulde hee by and by haue God at his commaundement, to make him performe the things that hee himselfe hath conceiued. And what a dealing were that? What maiestie more woulde there bee in our God? Againe wee see our lustes are so outra∣geous, as is horrible: 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 mode∣stie 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 bold∣ly. 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 con∣clusion, therefore be not afrayd. But how must wee apply this doctrine to our instruction?

First and formost let vs looke that God pro∣mise. If wee were combred with any perplexitie or anguishe, and knewe not whether God would leaue vs in the mire or no: wee might well bee afraide: and if wee would not be afraide, wee should be too blockish. But when God sayth vn∣to vs, my children, it is true that you be weake, you can doe nothing of your selues, and you haue too strong an enemie, by meanes where∣of yee coulde by no meanes withstand him if yee were not helped and vpheld by me: but I tell you, your temptations shall not bee greater than you shall be able to beare,* I knowe what your power is, I will giue you strength and courage at your need, I wil mitigate y^e tēptations y^t might ouerthrow you, and although the world and the deuill be starke mad against you, yet wil I bridle them, so that although you be roughly assayled, yet shall you ouercome them: trust thereunto. Hath God spoken as this man tel∣leth vs? let vs neuer doubt of it. Not that wee can be vtterly exempted from all feare, so long as we liue in this world: Insomuch that although wee haue Gods promises, whereby we be assu∣red that hee will neuer leaue vs, but that wee shall cuer feele eis helpe at our neede: yet must wee not thinke that wee shall be vtter∣ly voyde of care and doubt, or that wee should not beware of the daungers that inuiron vs round about. No, but yet must not this feare so ouerawght vs, as wee should not take hart to call vppon God, and to rest vppon him, and to goe on still foreward. Therefore when as it is sayd, I will helpe thee, be not afraide: our Lord will haue vs to fight in such wise against all feare, as it may not so ouermaster vs, as to make vs giue ouer, and turne head, and start away, so as we should be vtterly dismayd: but rather y^t in stāding in aw, we should also hope & take courage to go forewarde, forasmuch as we haue God on our fide. Thus yee see what is to bee remembred here.

And let vs chiefly apply this doctrine to our Page  88 spirituall battels which wee haue against Satan. For if the children of Israell could not vanquishe their enemies which were but men:* how shall wee ouercome the prince of the worlde, and the infinite nomber of diuils, which are as ram∣ping Lyons readye to swallowe vs vppe out of hand?

What is our force to beate backe such ene∣mies? Againe on the other side, we neede neuer to seeke out of our selues wherewith to be ouer∣come. [ 10] For euery of vs doth nothing else but la∣bor to ouerthrowe our selues.* All the affections and all the thoughtes that wee haue, are ene∣mies to God and to our own saluation. Therfore although wee had no enemies to assaile vs with∣out vs: yet are wee ouerthrowen already by our selues within. Yea verely, but when as our Lord telleth vs that his strength shall dwell in vs: that is the thing whereat wee must take courage. And it shall be no presumption to pro∣ceede [ 20] after that sorte, as the Papistes [beare men in hand: which] say it is a follie for men to assure themselues, and that wee must alwayes hang in doubt. By meanes whereof they set vp their owne freewil, and al the other dotages in∣uented by themselues, which are no better thā illusions of Satan wherewith he hath bewitched them. And hereuppon they say yet still, O, God will helpe vs. Yea but they haue not his promises: or at leastwise they regard them not. [ 30] And in good faith they be forepossessed with this diuelishe imagination, that they are able to doe much, and that they haue such strength in thē, as they may well bee Gods fellowes. And yet for all that, their hoping is but off and on at al∣aduenture. But in the meane while they accuse vs of presumption, when we rest all onely vpon Gods promises, assuring our selues that we can doe nothing at all, and that there is not one whit of strength in vs. Whereas wee wayte for [ 40] the thinges which our good God hath promised vs of his owne free goodnesse, euen without pre∣suming any whit at all of our selues, but onely hoping for the performance of that which hee hath spoken, accordingly as he hath vouchsafed to binde himselfe by his promises: must it not needes be that the diuill hath put out the Pa∣pistes eyes quite and cleane, when they terme such beliefe presumptuousnesse, whereas it is grounded vpon nothing but Gods promises? [ 50] [yes verily.] But as I sayd afore, let vs goe on boldely, and not doubt but that God can deli∣uer our enemies into our handes. Although it seeme that they should catch vs in their pawes, and vtterly destroy vs: yet hath God deliuered them into our handes before the battell: and with such certeintie doth it become vs to fight alwayes against Satan. Truely if wee looke vp∣pon the state of the faithfull: it may well seeme that they be left as a pray, and that there is no [ 60] way for them to stand against their enemies. But what for that? God hath already determined what he will doe. As for the execution thereof, it doth not appeare at the first: but when as the faithfull haue this promise giuen vnto them, I will deliuer thine enemies into thy hand: they must haue an eye to the thing that is yet hidden. And for the same purpose doth Saint Paul say,* GOD wil shortly put Satan vnder your feete. And for the same purpose also doth he say in another place: that Satan hath his power and dominion in the aire.* It should seeme by this, that Satan is ouer our heads, and that he should ouer∣whelme vs. But beholde here on the other side, how God auoweth that hee hath put him vnder our feete; and that for all the skirmishes which he can make against vs, and for all the alarums that he can giue vs, yet shall he not get the vp∣per hand of vs,* no nor once prick vs in the heele, but we shal tread vpon his head. Loe howe God hath assured vs of victorie. What is to bee done then? Let vs looke at Satan and all our ghostly enemies, as already vanquished, and assure our selues aforehand that God will make vs to tri∣umph in the middest of our battels, so as wee may glory in our God as though our enemies were already dispatched, and wee rid quite and cleane of them. And why? For the insight of our faith must rest vppon his promise where it is sayd, I haue deliuered thine enemies into thy hand.

Moreouer, whereas Moses reporteth, that the people did to Og king of Basan, as they had done to Sehon king of the Amorrhytes: it is to shewe that the people were not cruel in putting the young infantes to the sworde, and in leauing neither man nor woman aliue: though a man might imagine them to haue bin cruell at the first sight. And why? Because it was done by Gods commaundement. Now then, let vs come backe againe to that which hath bin touched alreadie: that is to wit, that when we passe not the bounds which God hath set vs, ne doe any thing vppon our owne heades, but onely obey his will: then although all the world accuse and condemne vs, yet shall wee be quitte in heauen. And that ought to suffice vs.* Why so? For God can well skil to maintain his authoritie against the pryde of all men: Though all the world were so fonde as to goe to lawe with God, and to finde faulte with his sayings and doings: Let vs let them all alone. For as I sayd, it ought to suffise vs, that God doth iustify vs. and if he acquit vs, we may laugh all the foolishe verdites of the worlde to skorne.* But herewithall let vs beare away this lesson, that is to wit, that God doe auowe all our doinges. And how shall wee be sure that he will auowe them? [verely] if wee haue not followed our owne fleshly reason, nor taken leaue to doe thinges vppon our owne head: but haue waited for Gods commaundement. Now then, if God haue giuen vs his warrant, and wee haue wal∣ked in his obedience: then are wee sure that all shall goe well with vs, though the world finde neuer so much fault with vs.

But wee on our side also must take warning that wee rise not against God, as wee see these fantastical fellowes doe, who will needes bee scanning whether a thing be good or no, with∣out inquiring whether it be of God or no: and so should God be faine to resigne his maiestie. For hee cannot be GOD, if he bee not righte∣ous. And if men might put his righteousnesse Page  89 to triall of inquest, so as it might bee lawfull for them to giue their verdit vpon it: then if they condemned any of Gods workes, his glorie were like to goe to wrecke, and he shoulde bee quite bereft of it. Wee see then what a treacherie it is, when men will take such libertie to discourse of good and euill at their owne pleasure, without asking counsell at Gods mouth. And on the con∣trarie part, although thinges seeme straunge to our naturall vnderstanding: yet must we so dis∣pose [ 10] our selues, that if our Lorde doe once say, this is good, it is my pleasure so to haue it: as soone as we haue that determinatiō from Gods mouth: we on our part must hold our peace, not onely to forbeare all replying or grudging a∣gainst him: but also to submit all our owne rea∣son thereunto, and to glorifie him with a good will, in this wise. True it is Lord, that if I shoulde iudge after mine owne fansie, I might speake fro∣wardly and vntowardly: but I must haue mine [ 20] eye vppon thee: and forasmuch as I knowe thy will to be so, I must submit my selfe to it, and ac∣knowledge it to bee good and rightfull, yeelding thee this praise therewithall, that thou canst not doe amisse. Surely this present example ought well to suffice vs. For who is he which would not at the first sight condemne the children of Isra∣el, for killing the little babes after that sort? Did they any thing without Gods appointment? No: for Moses saieth the contrarie. Therefore [ 30] in condemning them, a man should set himselfe against God: And so fareth it commonly with vs. Wherefore if wee iudge of our neighbours, let vs not doe it vpon our owne braine, but let vs giue that authoritie vnto God, without replying against his worde, so as if he allow of any thing, wee receiue it immediately: for wee must haue this modestie of ruling our selues in all cases ac∣cording to his good will. And therewithall, if God now and then doe thinges which seeme o∣uer [ 40] rigorous, yea and euen doe touch our selues very neere: let vs stoope to them. As for exam∣ple, if wee be afflicted out of measure to our own seeming: yet must we not murmur nor fret at it, For in good sooth what shall wee gaine by it? It will turne to our dubble confusion. Nay, let vs pray God to frame vs to such obedience, as wee may patiently receiue y^e afflictions that he sen∣deth vs, in such wise as the thinges which seeme straunge to our owne appetites, affections, and [ 50] thoughtes, may bee deemed of vs to bee good, iust, and rightfull, bicause he willeth them. That is the point which wee must come vnto. To bee short, let vs learne, not to bee wise in our owne conceite, nor to giue head to our affections: for those two things are requisite, if we intēd to glo∣rifie God in all his doings.

Nowe here is also that which Moses addeth, concerning the Cities and the greatnesse of them, and concerning the Countrie, and the [ 60] great 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 y^t 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 re∣medied 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 re∣liefe 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 see∣meth 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 daze∣led. But yet for all this, out of howe great things doeth God deliuer vs? He will suffer vs to goe downe as it were into our graue, and to be there as it were in a gulfe of death, so as which way so∣euer we looke, we shal finde no way to scape out at, so deepely shall wee bee sunk therein. And to what ende? Euen to the ende that God may make vs perceiue his power the better, when it pleaseth him to succour vs. So then, wee haue matter ynough and ynough to giue glosse vnto Gods grace, if wee bee not minded to shut our eyes maliciously of set purpose, or to thrust the things vnderfoote, which are too too manifest and apparant. Therefore let vs put this doctrine in vre which is shewed vs here by Moses: that is to wit, that God will giue vs incredible victories, as he doeth alreadie, and that when wee haue them, wee must bethinke vs thus: Goe to, came this of our owne policie? came this of our owne strength? No: it is God that hath done it. For when wee haue well examined all that is in vs: wee shall finde our selues to come shorte in all pointes, and that euen from the one ende to the other, our Lorde must bee faine to doe all in man.

And looke what Moses reporteth here con∣cerning the bodily enemies of the children of Israel, as in respect of the power of this world: that must wee apply to the power of Satan, and Page  90 to all the shiftes that he hath against vs. If wee haue that discretion with vs, then shall we haue wherefore to magnifie Gods grace towardes vs, if wee consider well whence wee bee deliuered, that is to wit, out of the pit of hell. For which of vs was able to breake the barres and bondes of Satan? which of vs was able to abolish the soue∣reigntie of death? It stoode vs on hand that God should worke there. Nowe it is so, that we were all shut vp in the bondage of sinne,* and conse∣quently [ 10] that death reigned ouer vs. Satan had possession of vs, so as none of vs could scape frō him. Wee could stirre neither arme nor legge, but it was to thrust our selues still further, and to sinke our selues still deeper. Seeing it is so: let vs vnderstand,* that when God brought vs out of the curse, wherein all of vs are by nature: it must needes be that his meere grace wrought in that behalfe. And that is moe times than once, as Moses speaketh here of the threescore Cities. [ 20] Wherefore let vs vnderstande, that as soone as we be come to the end of one battell, strait ways wee must enter into another: God helpeth vs to day: and if he hold not on dayly, yea if he make vs not to feele his ayde euerye minute of an houre: what will become of vs? If wee had had a thousād victories, yet were one assault ynough to ouerthrowe vs. Therefore let vs learne to magnifie Gods grace towardes vs.

And herewithall let vs marke also, that Mo∣ses [ 30] speaking here of the strength of Og King of Basan, saieth: Behold, he had a bed like a Giant: and againe he saieth that he came of the race of the Re∣phaims. Which serueth to shewe more and more, that the people were as a sheepe in a Wolues mouth. And if it were so with them at that time: what is it nowe with vs? For wee haue enemies which are much stronger and stouter in compa∣rison of vs, than had the Israeltes when they were to enter into the land of Chanaan. It should [ 40] seeme that they might eate vs vp at one bit (as they say.) Wee see what treasons and conspira∣cies they make: wee see that the more gratious and fauourable God sheweth himselfe to vs, the more doe wee seeme to take pleasure in grieuing him, and in reiecting of his grace. And therefore let vs looke to it, that wee minde well this do∣ctrine, if wee will haue God to giue vs victorie a∣gainst Satan and all his assaultes. And besides this, when wee haue concluded that God will strengthen vs against all temptations: let vs not doubt but that he hath a care of vs also for this transitorie life.* And if men goe about to roote vs out, let vs put our selues to his protection, and let vs looke to bee preserued and defended by him: and no doubt but that if hee reached out his mightie arme in olde time, to succour the people of Israel: his power is not abated, nor his goodnesse diminished, to doe the like for vs at this day. Thus ye see howe wee shall bee safe both in life and death, and as well in body as in soule, if our Lorde bee readie to succour vs. But without that, wee must needes bee worse than forlorne. Wherefore let vs looke that wee pro∣fite our selues by this doctrine, by putting away all pride and foolish presumption, so as wee rest wholy vppon God, and learne to exercise our selues in his promises earely and late, and to re∣new the rememberance of them, to the end that by that meane wee may bee armed against all temptations. Let not the diuell finde vs vnpro∣uided when he commeth to assaile vs: but let vs haue wherewith to resist him. And that we may so,* let vs take to vs Gods worde, for when we bee armed with that, wee bee well ynough fenced to beate back Satan, and al y^t euer he can practice a∣gainst vs. And therefore it behoueth vs to be so much the more watchfull, that we may giue eare to this doctrine.

Nowe let vs kneele downe in the presence of our good God with acknowledgement of our faultes, praying him to make vs so to feele them, as wee may bee vtterly cast downe by them, at leastwise to mislike of them and to forsake them, so as our whole seeking maye bee to frame our selues altogether to the righteousnesse of our God, and to proceede more & more in his feare and obedience, vntil he haue ioyned vs fully and perfectly to himselfe, beseeching him to beare with vs in the meane while, and that forasmuch as it is his will that wee should bee in continuall warre in this worlde, he vouchsafe to strengthen vs with his power, vntill he haue taken vs vp in∣to his heauenly rest, to make vs enioye the glo∣rious immortalitie that hee hath promised vs. That it may please him to graunt this grace, not onely to vs, but also to all people, &c.