A10933:1756
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.
The Angel that resolved there should be no yielding of gratuity to him, for which cause Manoah asked his name, he did not tell him: and yet who can deny but Manoah asked it upon good consideration, namely that he might show himself thankful to him, as he thought himself bound to be? Wherein he gave clear testimony of his honest and single heart, in desiring to take the opportunity thereof unto him afterwards for the kindness that was offered him. Which is a necessary duty, though it be not regarded nor looked for of them to whom it is due. But of this before.
The Angel that resolued there should be no yeelding of gratuitie to him, for which cause Manoah asked his name, hee did not tell him: and yet who can deny but Manoah asked it vpon good consideration, namely that hee might shew himselfe thankfull to him, as he thought himselfe bound to be? Wherein he gaue cleere testimonie of his honest and single heart, in desiring to take the opportunitie thereof vnto him afterwards for the kindnesse that was offered him. Which is a necessarie duty, though it be not regarded nor looked for of them to whom it is due. But of this before.
Now that the Angel did show (as we see in this verse) what he was, by 1deeds rather then by words, he hath not only left us his example, but also confirmed us in that the Scripture teacheth both Minister and people concerning that matter. And first of the former (who being a public messenger of God, is called an Angel) my meaning is not that the Minister is liable to every janglers censure, for his allowance of him, or for his sufficiency. But let him get this Seal of his Ministry, which here the Angel bringeth out, to wit, the efficacy of working, I mean, both a powerful teaching, and a powerful example; and these shall be his judges. By these they must judge of him, who are able to judge, and they who judge by any other rule, are ignorant or malicious, and therefore disabled to judge. And the best Ministers that ever were, never refused this Canon of doctrine and life to be examined by. Neither our Saviour nor the Apostle Paul ever arrogated to themselves such liberty as to be received, the one for true Messiah, the other, for a true Apostle, upon their bare word. It might have opened a gap to every seducing spirit, to have stood upon his own worth, and (like Antichrist at this day) to compel mens consciences to acknowledge him a successor of the Apostle, because he (out of the abundance of his own sense)