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…

And let us not think that the grace we have, seeing it cost us much pains to obtain, much hearing, long practise, use of many good means, with watchfulness and prayer, let us not think (I say) that therefore we need fear no such sudden loss of it. Ah fool, it comes in a day that came not in seven years: and as the houses of Jobs children were blown down all at once, so may a mans goodness and strength be all wasted suddenly by a dangerous fall, yea the fruit of many years growth and gain may perish in a day; though I deny not, but usually it paireth by degrees rather through sins committed daily, and duties neglected. The strength of a Christian lies in his faith, as truly as Samsons did in his locks: and if faith be quailed by wilful sinning, (as how can a man feel God loving him, when he gives leave to himself to offend him,) then how much more if the fruits also decay, as fervency, care, fear, diligence in good duties, &c. As the one grows to unbelief, so the other degenerates to deadness, carelessness, and looseness, &c. Now whereas some caviller lying in the wind for advantage, might say, I see Samson is condemned for shaving of his locks, therefore long hair is no such blameworthy habit, as some would seem to make of it: I answer him two ways. First, that this guise of Samson was not common, or general; for then it had been only permitted as indifferent to all, but personal and belonging to the vow of the Nazarite, which now is abolished. As that other of abstaining from strong drink was; which I suppose the greater part of them that plead for long hair will not so easily yield to abstain from. Secondly I say, though this liberty were to be further extended, yet in all equity, those might challenge it of most due, who are most proportionable to the Nazarite in the pure worship ping of God. Now these in the former respect see small cause ⟨p. 759⟩to use any such habit, but condemn it as most unseemly. The wearers thereof are most of them profane, no worshippers; and the best of them (I suppose) are none of the most pure worshippers of God. Therefore let this abuse return to the heirs of them that first invented it for a cover of the shame, which their lewdness first brought upon them. But enough to a wise man was said of this upon the thirteenth Chapter:

And let vs not thinke that the grace we haue, seeing it cost vs much paines to obtaine, much hearing, long practise, vse of many good meanes, with watchfulnesse and prayer, let vs not thinke (I say) that therefore wee need feare no such sudden losse of it. Ah foole, it comes in a day that came not in seuen yeeres: and as the houses of Iobs children were blowne downe all at once, so may a mans goodnesse and strength bee all wasted suddenly by a dangerous fall, yea the fruit of many yeeres growth and gaine may perish in a day; though I denie not, but vsually it paireth by degrees rather through sinnes committed daily, and duties neglected. The strength of a Christian lies in his faith, as truly as Samsons did in his lockes: and if faith be quailed by wilfull sinning, (as how can a man feele God louing him, when he giues leaue to himselfe to offend him,) then how much more if the fruites also decay, as feruency, care, feare, diligence in good duties, &c. As the one growes to vnbeleefe, so the other degenerates to deadnesse, carelesnesse, and loosenesse, &c. Now whereas some cauiller lying in the wind for aduantage, might say, I see Samson is condemned for shauing of his lockes, therefore long haire is no such blameworthy habite, as some would seeme to make of it: I answere him two waies. First, that this guise of Samson was not common, or generall; for then it had been only permitted as indifferent to all, but personall and belonging to the vow of the Nazarite, which now is abolished. As that other of abstaining from strong drinke was; which I suppose the greater part of them that plead for long haire will not so easily yeeld to abstaine from. Secondly I say, though this liberty were to be further extended, yet in all equitie, those might challenge it of most due, who are most proportionable to the Nazarite in the pure worship ping of God. Now these in the former respect see small cause