[A methodical preface prefixed before the epistle to the Romans ...] Made[A methodicall preface prefixed before the epistle to the Romanes ...] Made

¹Faith therefore is a constant trust and a sure confidence of the mercy of God towards us, which is lively, and worketh mightily in our hearts, whereby we commit our selves wholly to God, casting all our care upon him: leaning and trusting assuredly to this Faith, we ate not afraid to die a thousand times. For this so bold an assurance of the mercy and favour of God doth make our hearts merry, glad, and light: doth also erect, raise, and even ravish us with most sweet motions and affections towards ⟨image 15⟩God: yea and doth so embolden the heart of the true believer, that trusting to have God on his side, he is not afraid to oppose himself alone against all creatures. But it is the Spirit of GOD which giveth us this heroical heart and stout stomach through faith, which working effectually in our hearts, doth incite and inflame us to do good. Now we have this cheerful towardness and forwardness, to the end that we might be most prompt and ready willingly and of our own accord to do, tolerate, and suffer all things, whereby we may be obedient to so gentle and favourable a father, who through Christ hath enriched us with so great abundance of his graces. It can not ⟨image 16⟩possibly be but that in whom soever this efficacy and life of faith is, it should daily work, fructify, and give increase to God.² Even as it is unpossible that a fire being kindled and flaming should not give light and cast forth brightness, wherefore watch thou and take heed that thou do not believe either thine own vain songs and sounds of faith,³ thine own foolish imaginations, or the vain trifling stuff of Sophisters.⁴ For these Sophisters have neither wit nor wisdom. They are belly beasts borne only to those feasts of schools. But pray thou unto God (who commandeth by his word that light should shine out of darkness) that he would shine brightly in thine heart, & that ⟨image 16⟩