Albeit there is nothing that more provoketh Gods wrath, then mans ingratitude, yet is there nothing so displeasant and heinous that can turne backe Gods love from his Church. For now when the Israelites were entred into the land of Canáan, and saw the trueth of Gods promes performed, in stead of acknowledging his great benefits and giving thankes for the same, they fell to most horrible oblivion of God graces, contrarie to their solemne promes made unto Joshúa, and so provoked his vengeance (as muche as in them stode) to their utter destruction. Wherefore as they had moste evident signes by the mutabilitie of their state: for he suffered them to be moste cruelly vexed and tormented by tyrants: he pulled them from libertie, and cast them into slaverie, to the intent they might fele their owne miseries and so call unto him and be delivered. Yet to shewe that h is mercies indure for ever, he raised up from time to time suche as shulde deliver them and assure them of his favour and grace, if they wolde turne to him by true repentance. And these deliverers the Scripture calleth Judges, because they were executers of Gods judgements, not chosen of the people nor by succession, but raised up, as it semed best to God, for the governance of his people. They were twelve in nomber besides Joshúa, and governed from Joshúa unto Saúl the first King of Israel. Joshúa and these unto the tyme of Saúl ruled 336 yeres. In this boke are manie notable points declared, but two especially: first, the battel that the Church of God hathe for the maintenance of true religion against idolatrie and superstition: next, what great danger that commune wealth is in, when as God giveth not a magistrate to reteine his people in the purenes of religion and his true service.