A10933:1757
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.
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) ⟨p. 641⟩boasted himself so. So that base testimonies are inartificial arguments (all mere men being liars) but to try the spirits whether they be of God, is a 2needful duty: they that are so tried, have no wrong done them, neither can complain, if their charter be demanded, I mean the power of teaching, and the power of godliness. These works admit no appeal, though they be no miraculous works, (as the Angels here) yet they are demonstrations. In the 11. of Matthew, John Baptist sends his disciples to Christ in 3policy to resolve them of the truth of his mediatorship: our Saviour (when they had done their errand) doth not scorn them, or disdain to give account of his calling. But what manner of evidence giveth he? Go (saith he) tell John, what ye have heard and seen, The blind see, the lame go, the poor receive the Gospel. q. d. If these works will not evince what I am, take me not for him that I go for. So he tells the Pharisees, If I gave witness only to my self, I could not claim credit thereto: