23 He that judgeth, &c. Very well he hath expressed in one word, the affection of a wavering & uncertain mind, what is necessary to be done. For he that judgeth wavereth hither and thither, & is holden in suspense between divers deliberations, not knowing whereunto to incline. Seeing then the beginning of a good work is the certainty, and as it were the pleasant security of a mind that is well stayed before God: there is nothing more contrary to the approbation of our works, then wavering or doubting. And would to God, this sentence were well grafted in the minds of men: namely, that nothing is to be taken in hand, but that of the which the mind is fully resolved,1 that it is acceptable to God: men would not keep such a stir in many parts of their life, or waver, or thrust on themselves with a blind force, wheresoever their own imagination carieth them. For if our life be tied unto this modesty, that one should not touch a morsel of bread with a doubting conscience, how much greater circumspection ought to be had in the greatest things? For whatsoever is not of faith. The reason of this condemnation: namely, that every work how excellent & glorious so ever it be, if yet it be not grounded upon a right conscience, is counted for sin. For God regardeth not the outward show, but the inward obedience of the hart. Of it only dependeth the estimation of our works. Furthermore, what kind of obedience is it, if any take upon him it, of the which he is not persuaded, it is approved of god? where then such doubting is, he is justly condemned of prevarication, ⟨image 201⟩because he doth against the testimony of his conscience. The word faith is put here, for a constant persuasion of the mind,2 and firm (as I may say) certainty, and that not every assurance, but such as is gathered of the truth of God. Therefore, wavering and doubtfulness do corrupt all our actions, how beautiful soever otherwise they be. Now seeing a godly mind can no where find a sure stay but in the word of God: here all feigned worshippings, and whatsoever works are devised by mans brain, do vanish away. For whiles that is condemned, whatsoever is not of faith, that is rejected, whatsoever is not grounded, and approved by the word of God.
23 Hee that iudgeth, &c. Very well he hath expressed in one word, the affection of a wauering & vncertaine minde, what is necessary to be done. For he that iudgeth wauereth hither and thither, & is holden in suspence betweene diuers deliberations, not knowing whereunto to incline. Seeing then the beginning of a good worke is the certaintie, and as it were the pleasant securitie of a minde that is wel staied before God: there is nothing more contrary to the approbation of our workes, then wauering or doubting. And would to God, this sentence were well grafted in the mindes of men: namely, that nothing is to be taken in hand, but that of the which the minde is fully resolued,1 that it is acceptable to God: men would not keepe such a sturre in many parts of their life, or wauer, or thrust on themselues with a blinde force, wheresoeuer their owne imagination carieth them. For if our life be tyed vnto this modestie, that one shoulde not touch a morsell of bread with a doubting conscience, howe much greater circumspection ought to be had in the greatest things? For whatsoeuer is not of faith. The reason of this comdemnation: namely, that euery worke how excellent & glorious so euer it be, if yet it be not grounded vpon a right conscience, is counted for sin. For God regardeth not the outward shew, but the inward obediēce of the hart. Of yt only dependeth the estimatiō of our works. Furthermore, what kind of obediēce is yt, if any take vpō him yt, of the whiche he is not persuaded, it is approued of god? where thē such doubting is, hee is iustly condēned of preuarication, ⟨image 201⟩because he doth against the testimonie of his conscience. The worde faith is put heere, for a constant perswasion of the minde,2 and firme (as I may say) certaintie, and that not euery assurance, but such as is gathered of the truth of God. Therfore, wauering and doubtfulnesse doe corrupt all our actions, howe bewtifull soeuer otherwise they be. Now seeing a godly minde can no where finde a sure stay but in the worde of God: heere all fained worshippinges, and whatsoeuer workes are deuiced by mans braine, doe vanishe away. For whiles that is condemned, whatsoeuer is not of faith, that is reiected, whatsoeuer is not grounded, and approued by the worde of God.
- 1nothing must be done with a wavering mind.nothing must be done with a wauering minde.
- 2Faith for a firm persuasion.Faith for a firm perswasion.
