A10933:1739
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.
Sermon 72 › Chapter 13 › Part 3: The third part of the Chapter.
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.
Will an earthly King endure his Ambassador to be loured upon, or abused think we? Look upon David, how he revenged the indignity which 1Hanun offered his servants? And what did the husbandman to those that farmed his vineyards, and beat, wounded and slew his messengers? He 2that despiseth you (saith Christ this husbandman, Joh. 15.) despiseth me, and him that sent me. Next to the contempt of the message, this despite of the messenger is most damnable. For by Pastors and Teachers, the Lord manifests his will, touching our living peaceably here, and enjoying life hereafter for ever: (which are treasures precious, far above those of Princes) and therefore they are savage people that lightly weigh them: But they that have found comfort by them, yea their reconciliation, as Job. 33. 3speaketh: they that have tasted of the good gift of God by them, and have their souls bathed in this dew of heavenly knowledge, esteem them worthy of more honour then they can yield them, and count them as a few men of a thousand, and are nearlier knit to them, then nature can knit them to their own flesh. And so is the Minister again to them, being as the 4crown of his ministry. And yet to prevent a cavil, I say not that they worship them as God neither, for all that: but indeed they make more of them, then common men: which little liketh them who would have them thought of as men, not worthy to have place in the Church, no, nor on earth at all. Therefore let all good hearers learn, first to be riveted into their doctrine, to get acquaintance with that first, and then, if their hearts can go against the messenger let them; but that cannot be, they must needs advance themselves in joy and affection to the instrument, if once God and ⟨p. 635⟩his ordinance have got any honour and love in their hearts. As for senseless blocks, or cavilling controllers, either of message or instrument, who take upon them to carp at their doctrine, or the manner of uttering, or the persons that bring it, (as the trueth is, the woeful people make no other use of these things, but to jangle and censure them) they bewray themselves to be no children of wisdom as yet: what they may be, I say not, but yet they be not bred nor begot by her, for doubtless they would then plead for, and justify her.