reat and horrible fear of
his disciples but his comfortable word, and lively voice. And this is not
done only at one time, but whensoever his church is in such a strait and
perplexity, that nothing appears but extreme calamity, desolation, and
ruin; then the first comfort that ever it receives, is by the means of his
word and promise; as may appear in the troubles and temptations of
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Paul.

To Abraham was given no other defence, after he had discomfited four
kings, whose posterity and lineage, no doubt, he, being a stranger,
greatly feared, but only this promise of God made to him by his holy word,
"Fear not, Abraham, I am thy buckler;" that is, thy protection and
defence.

The same we find of Isaac, who flying from the place of his accustomed
habitation, compelled thereto by hunger, got no other comfort nor conduct
but this promise only, "I will be with thee."

In all the journeys and temptations of Jacob the same is to be espied; as
when he fled from his father's house for fear of his brother Esau; when he
returned from Laban; and when he feared the inhabitants of the region of
the Canaanites and Perizzites for the slaughter of the Shechemites
committed by his sons; he received no other defence, but only God's word
and promise.

And this is most evident in Moses, and in the afflicted church under him
when Moses himself was in such despair, that he was bold to chide with
God, saying, "Why hast thou sent me? For since that time I have come to
Pharaoh, to speak in thy name, he hath oppressed this people; neither yet
hast thou delivered thy people."

This same expostulation of Moses declares how sorely he was tempted; yea,
and what opinion he had conceived of God; that is, That God was either
impotent, and could not deliver his people from such a tyrant's hand; or
else, That he was mutable, and unjust in his promises. And this same, and
sorer temptations, assaulted the people; for in anguish of heart, they
both refused God and Moses. And what means did God use to comfort them in
that great extremity? Did he straightway suddenly kill Pharaoh, the great
tyrant?--No. Did he send them a legion of angels to defend and deliver
them?--No such thing: but he only recites and beats into their ears his
former promises to them, which oftentimes they had before: and yet the
rehearsal of the same wrought so mightily in the heart of Moses, that not
only was bitterness and despair removed away