A10933:149
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…
A commentary upon the whole book of Judges Preached first and delivered in sundry lectures; since collected, and diligently perused, and now published. For the benefit generally of all such as desire to grow in faith and repentance, and especially of them, who would more clearly understand and make use of the worthy examples of the saints, recorded in divine history. Penned by Richard Rogers preacher of Gods word at Wethersfield in Essex.A commentary vpon the vvhole booke of Iudges Preached first and deliuered in sundrie lectures; since collected, and diligently perused, and now published. For the benefit generally of all such as desire to grow in faith and repentance, and especially of them, who would more cleerely vnderstand and make vse of the worthie examples of the saints, recorded in diuine history. Penned by Richard Rogers preacher of Gods word at Wethersfield in Essex.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1615
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And first that it is said here that Othniel, being a valiant man, took the city 1Debir, notwithstanding that the difficulties to win it were very great, by this we see, that besides this verifieth the proverb which is here spoken of him, that a mans gift preferreth him, (as the like may be said of Joseph, Daniel, and others) and that all men should seek for the gifts of God, which they may attain, to honour the giver, who preferreth them thereby: I say, besides that, we may learn that Othniel being religious, and his prayers being most faithfully 2made to God, as we read in the Chronicles, so that God heard them, and yet he took encouragement by the offer of Caleb to set upon that great work; we may (I say) learn, that even godly men may take, and use the benefit of such encouragements, as are lawfully offered them to the going about any work that God commandeth them. It is true indeed, that even his bare word alone ought to put life into us, and quicken us to our duties, and much more, because there is a promise of blessing annexed to the obeying of every commandment of his, yea a great promise of reward: but yet, 3seeing we are weak, because of the flesh that striveth against the spirit in us, 4therefore we have need of all helps and furtherance that may whet us on. And therefore, though it was the duty of Othniel to set against the enemies of God, as the rest of the Israelites were bound to do, yet there is no doubt, but he was much more earnestly set on by this encouragement. So, it is the duty of every faithful minister of God to preach the Gospel diligently and willingly, even for the commandment of Christ, If thou lovest me, feed my 5lambs, and my sheep: yet if the Lord bless his labours plentifully, and the people minister to him, readily, so that he be sufficiently provided for, no man doubteth, but that he shall do his duty much better, as seeing thereby that he is (as good reason why he should so be) highly and well regarded. So a Christian man that laboureth with his hands in the calling God hath set him, ought to be occupied therein willingly, and for conscience sake; but if God bless him with good success, he shall go about the duties of it far more cheerfully, and in better sort. In all things we find it thus.