The Apostle knowing that the mind of men be stark blind without the assured knowledge of God’s will, and that it is not possible as long as they be in a doubt thereof, to be in any certainty of salvation, and true godliness., does advise us to understand it. And it is not without cause that he does use this saying: That you may prove and try what is the will of God. To prove and try what is the will of God, is not to have a light opinion thereof: but to find it, and to know it without doubt, by certain experience and proof. For whereas Satan also transform into an Angel of light, as he began to do immediately a the first beginning of mankind, and his ministers transformed into Apostles of Christ, and our very flesh also do seem to godly and devout, does counterfeit many things thereof, serving unto our destruction. We had need specially to be ware, that we do not unadvisedly, believe every thing in color and presence thereof, but that we do surely try the spirits, whether that they be of God, or no. Wherefore we must search whereby it may be tried, what is the will of God towards us, that we give no place in us, to such opinions, as do reign in the Popery.
And indeed there be divers ways in this trial, if they were particularly viewed. But there may be noted three more general. For God does commonly declare his Will unto us, either by word, sign, or doing. Wherefore we may try it in his Word, Signs, and Doings.
In the Word, there be his precepts and prohibitions, his promises, and his threatenings, his comforts, and his judgements. When he does command what he will have us to do, & forbidding that which he would not have us to do, he does surely instruct us of his will. So that the Prophet sings aright: The Lord’s precepts is bright, giving light to the eyes. When he promises his grace, salvation, and everlasting life to the godly & faithful, which do fear him & depend upon him with an upright heart: and threatens wrath & condemnation to the ungodly, & unbelievers, does he not two ways declare his will? First in using us lovingly, & Secondly requiring us again to behave ourselves uprightly in all things. And this is the scope and prick of the whole Gospel, wherein the only begotten of God does certify & assure us of the will of God towards mankind. There be comforts in the world whereby he hearts of sinners, of the weak, of the afflicted, & wailing be plucked up. They do testify of the goodwill of God, when he offers his aid ready and at hand unto all the afflicted. There by in the word also set forth the judgements of God, where he does punish the wicked, the examples of which passed before in the flood, in the fire of