A commentary upon the whole book of Judges Preached first and delivered in sundry…A commentary vpon the vvhole booke of Iudges Preached first and deliuered in sundrie…

Now while these things are thus, we may note that the beauty of religion is such, if it be planted in men soundly and indeed, as that it wins credit to him that hath it for contrary dealing, and maketh him to be approved for his faithfulness, conscionableness and honesty: whereas he that is void of them, liveth in utter discredit and just reproach. And whereas ye will say, some of them that make show of religion, do yet deceive and deal untrustily with their creditors. I answer, it is not the show of religion, but the practise of it that carrieth the beauty with it that I speak of: and if any that be taken to be religious, offend this way, know we that it is not their religion that emboldeneth them to such dealing, but that they have so little of it. And so it is true also, that some that have credit deservedly, do, for the sweetness of the gain, if they take not heed, hold their due from the owners sometimes, though they may little rejoice in it. And let them know, that their sin is the greater: but yet all this notwithstanding, there are some who dare not, neither will by any means be brought to do so. And if ye ask me, Why then do men take bonds of such as are of approved honesty, and have not broken nor lost their credit; as if they were no better trusted then other common men? I answer: Not because they be distrusted, but first, seeing all are mortal, and so men might lose their goods, if they had no security for them by those in whose hands they are: and secondly, that contention may not arise betwixt the posterity of both parties that shall come after. And again, seeing there are such deceivers in the world, as ⟨p. 552⟩would provoke even the honest to contention, if they can see any hole open, or espy any advantage.

Now while these things are thus, we may note that the beautie of religion is such, if it be planted in men soundly and indeed, as that it winnes credit to him that hath it for contrary dealing, and maketh him to be approoued for his faithfulnesse, conscionablenesse and honesty: whereas he that is void of them, liueth in vtter discredit and iust reproch. And whereas ye will say, some of them that make shew of religion, doe yet deceiue and deale vntrustily with their creditors. I answer, it is not the shew of religion, but the practise of it that carrieth the beauty with it that I speake of: and if any that be taken to be religious, offend this way, know wee that it is not their religion that imboldneth them to such dealing, but that they haue so little of it. And so it is true also, that some that haue credit deseruedly, doe, for the sweetnesse of the gaine, if they take not heed, hold their due from the owners sometimes, though they may little reioyce in it. And let them know, that their sinne is the greater: but yet all this notwithstanding, there are some who dare not, neither will by any meanes be brought to doe so. And if ye aske me, Why then doe men take bonds of such as are of approoued honesty, and haue not broken nor lost their credit; as if they were no better trusted then other common men? I answer: Not because they be distrusted, but first, seeing all are mortal, and so men might lose their goods, if they had no securitie for them by those in whose hands they are: and secondlie, that contention may not arise betwixt the posteritie of both parties that shal come after. And againe, seeing there are such deceiuers in the world, as