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 if it were believed, and we throughly persuaded of it, there were nothing like to draw us more nearly to Christ, nor to set our hearts and delight upon him, then the oft and due meditation and thinking on it: whether we speak of those who are in Christ already, or of such as lie yet in unbelief, to draw and persuade them. For these should be better encouraged by many degrees more then they be now, to labour to taste how good the Lord is: and they who have already begun, should break through all lets and difficulties (which do much hold them back) far more easily then now they do, to be united more nearly unto him their head. Whereas it may be spoken with grief, that in stead hereof, many professing well, even where Gods love is made known, do cleave to the pleasures of sin, profits and preferments, howsoever come by, rather then to strive to enter in at the strait gate: and the best are too backward, considering that if we have any treasure in heaven, our hearts must needs be there also set on heavenly things: but they who mind earthly things above other, which should be all in all with them, and do as seldom think rightly of either of both, and yet would be thought to do otherwise, are no beauty but a blemish to the Christian life. Oh how lamentable is it then, that so many still remain! (as the old world out of the Ark, and the latter world out of the Common-wealth of Israel) so these even as aliens from the Church. For though all cry, The Church, The Church, because they hear there is no mercy, blessing, or salvation out of the Church; yet as if Baptism were sufficient, they seek not the privileges of the Church; effectual calling, faith, charity and sanctification, and the fruits thereof; and therefore they are still little better then the scum and offscouring of the common band of the wicked; who having no title, no promise, no God, no hope, but are out of Gods precinct and government: and therefore we may say of these, The Church is wanting in the Church. All Gods mercy, and whatsoever is excellent in him, are out of their reach; no such privileges appertain unto them, because they are not separated from the wicked, whom the soul of ⟨p. 276⟩the Lord abhorreth.

And if it were beleeued, and wee throughly perswaded of it, there were nothing like to draw vs more neerely to Christ, nor to set our hearts and delight vpon him, then the oft and due meditation and thinking on it: whether we speake of those who are in Christ alreadie, or of such as lie yet in vnbeliefe, to draw and perswade them. For these should be better incouraged by many degrees more then they be now, to labour to taste how good the Lord is: and they who haue alreadie begun, should breake through all lets and difficulties (which doe much hold them backe) farre more easily then now they doe, to be vnited more neerely vnto him their head. Whereas it may be spoken with griefe, that in stead hereof, many professing well, euen where Gods loue is made knowne, doe cleaue to the pleasures of sin, profits and preferments, howsoeuer come by, rather then to striue to enter in at the streight gate: and the best are too backward, considering that if we haue any treasure in heauen, our hearts must needs be there also set on heauenly things: but they who mind earthly things aboue other, which should be all in all with them, and doe as seldome thinke rightly of either of both, and yet would be thought to doe otherwise, are no beautie but a blemish to the Christian life. Oh how lamentable is it then, that so many still remaine! (as the old world out of the Arke, and the latter world out of the Common-wealth of Israel) so these euen as aliants from the Church. For though all crie, The Church, The Church, because they heare there is no mercie, blessing, or saluation out of the Church; yet as if Baptisme were sufficient, they seeke not the priuiledges of the Church; effectuall calling, faith, charitie and sanctification, and the fruites thereof; and therefore they are still little better then the scumme and ofscouring of the common band of the wicked; who hauing no title, no promise, no God, no hope, but are out of Gods precinct and gouernment: and therefore wee may say of these, The Church is wanting in the Church. All Gods mercie, and whatsoeuer is excellent in him, are out of their reach; no such priuiledges appertaine vnto them, because they are not separated from the wicked, whom the soule of