A cloud of faithful witnesses, leading to the heavenly Canaan, or, A commentary upon…A cloud of faithfull witnesses, leading to the heauenly Canaan, or, A commentarie vpon…

The first person here commended unto us, is Gideon: the History of whose acts, is laid down at large, Judges chap. 6. In his example note one point especially, to acquaint us with the manner which God useth in begetting and increasing true faith in the hearts of his children. If we read the Story, we shall see, that the Lord, in the likeness of an Angel, called Gideon, once, twice,¹ yea thrice to be a Judge to his people. But Gedeon greatly doubts of his calling, & therefore desires a sign of the Lord; which God gave him: For, the sacrifice which he offered, was burned up with fire from heaven: yet still he doubted, and was in a greater fear then before, even of death it self: but, being confirmed by the Angel, and set a-work, he brake down the Altar of Baal, and built one to the true GOD, and thereon offered sacrifice as God commanded, though with some fear. And, when the Midianites and Amalekites came armed against Israel, he is stirred up by the spirit of God for their defence: but yet still he doubted of his calling, and therefore again asked a sign at Gods hands, and had it; and after that asked another, which GOD also granted. Now, having all these one in the neck of another, at length he knows his calling, and so goes in faith, and defends Israel: so that he got the assurance of his calling, by sundry particular signs and confirmations of his faith. And though he doubted greatly at the first: yet, after he believes, not only that he should be a Judge and Deliverer ⟨p. 498⟩of Gods people out of the hands of their enemies; but this principally, that God was his God, and would give unto him everlasting life.

THe first person here commended vnto vs, is Gedeon: the History of whose acts, is laid down at large, Iudges chap. 6. In his example note one point especially, to acquaint vs with the manner which God vseth in begetting and encreasing true faith in the hearts of his children. If we reade the Story, we shal see, that the Lord, in the likenesse of an Angel, called Gedeon, once, twice,¹ yea thrice to be a Iudge to his people. But Gedeō greatly doubts of his calling, & therefore desires a signe of the Lord; which God gaue him: For, the sacrifice which he offered, was burned vp with fire from heauen: yet still hee doubted, and was in a greater feare then before, euen of death it selfe: but, being confirmed by the Angell, and set a-worke, he brake down the Altar of Baall, and built one to the true GOD, and thereon offered sacrifice as God commaunded, though with some feare. And, when the Midianites and Amalekites came armed against Israell, hee is stirred vp by the spirit of God for their defence: but yet still hee doubted of his calling, and therefore againe asked a signe at Gods hands, and had it; and after that asked another, which GOD also graunted. Nowe, hauing all these one in the necke of another, at length hee knowes his calling, and so goes in faith, and defends Israell: so that hee got the assurance of his calling, by sundry particular signes and confirmations of his faith. And though hee doubted greatly at the first: yet, after hee beleeues, not onely that hee should bee a Iudge and Deliuerer