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…

So should we, when we have been much laboured with, to believe by the preaching of the Gospel, and have our selves also much been occupied in attaining thereto; we should, I say, then look for the fruit thereof. And namely, to have proof of our faith indeed, in and about the common difficulties, wherein in times past we have be foiled, and found it almost impossible sometime, or at least very unlike that we should prevail by faith, even there I say, we should look to have some strength thereof otherwise then in former times. As for example, when a man seeth his sins and the guilt of them, though he be truly humbled for them: even then to lift up the hand of faith to heaven, and lay hold on the mercy of God in Christ. Also in time of temptation, to resist temptation, by believing, that God will give us victory. Again, when a man must lose goods, and life, and all that he hath for ⟨p. 348⟩the Gospel, or else to forsake it, then to cleave fast unto it, believing that we shall be great gainers thereby. And so, when a man wanteth meat, drink, and apparel, yet even then, to acknowledge Gods providence, though by weak means, and rest in it peaceably. In like manner, having long heard the word, and how we should make it profitable to our selves by believing it, we should grow to this point, that we should be weary of our roving and wandering, of our sleeping, of our discoursing and disputing against that which we like not, being unpleasant to our flesh, and say with Samuel: Speak Lord, for now thy servant heareth, and is ready to rest in thy will, whither reproving, commanding, or encouraging: yea and to be upholden, guided, reformed, or kept within compass, whither by the terrors, commandments, or promises of it. So ought we in all other parts of duty to be ready to say every one for himself, Lord, now have I learned how I should work in my ¹calling, use my peace and prosperity, behave my self in secret, and with others, and walk throughout my life innocently and fruitfully, believing that I shall not lose the fruit of my labour.

So should we, when we haue been much laboured with, to belieue by the preaching of the Gospell, and haue our selues also much been occupied in attaining thereto; we should, I say, then look for the fruit thereof. And namely, to haue proofe of our faith indeed, in and about the common difficulties, wherein in times past wee haue bee foiled, and found it almost impossible sometime, or at least very vnlike that we should preuaile by faith, euen there I say, we should looke to haue some strength thereof otherwise then in former times. As for example, when a man seeth his sinnes and the guilt of them, though he be truly humbled for them: euen then to lift vp the hand of faith to heauen, and lay hold on the mercy of God in Christ. Also in time of temptation, to resist temptation, by beleeuing, that God wil giue vs victorie. Againe, when a man must lose goods, and life, and all that hee hath for