A10933:213
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.
Lastly, out of these two verses it is good for us to mark, in that this poor 1Bethlite was the instrument of taking the city; what poor means and helps God oftentimes ministereth, for the effecting of that which he commandeth to be done; yea though the work be great, and the means weak and unlikely to bring such a matter to pass, it skilleth not. Both these things may be seen, both in stirring up and preparing that silly woman in Joshuas time, to receive & lodge the spies, whom he sent to view Jericho before they took it, as also by blowing trumpets of Rams horns, and 2by compassing of the city Jericho seven times, to make the walls of it to fall down. Who seeth not that these were poor engines to batter walls? and also to give this Bethlite into the hands of these spies, that they might by his help easily take the city? For when God will have a work to be brought to pass, he appointeth the means also for the same purpose; which being always known to him, but seldom to us ordinarily, till we meet with them (not by chance, but by his will and appointment) it doth often take heart from us, and much dismay us from cheerful going about that which we are commanded, so weak is our faith, when with unbelieving Thomas we do not see and behold with bodily eyes the means which are yet sufficient and at hand through Gods promise.
Lastly, out of these two verses it is good for vs to marke, in that this poore 1Bethlite was the instrument of taking the city; what poore meanes and helpes God oftentimes ministreth, for the effecting of that which hee commandeth to be done; yea though the worke be great, and the means weake and vnlikely to bring such a matter to passe, it skilleth not. Both these things may be seene, both in stirring vp and preparing that sillie woman in Ioshuas time, to receiue & lodge the spies, whom he sent to view Iericho before they tooke it, as also by blowing trumpets of Rammes hornes, and 2by compassing of the city Iericho seuen times, to make the walles of it to fall downe. Who seeth not that these were poore engins to batter walles? and also to giue this Bethlite into the hands of these spies, that they might by his helpe easily take the city? For when God will haue a worke to be brought to passe, he appointeth the meanes also for the same purpose; which being alwaies knowne to him, but seldome to vs ordinarily, till we meet with them (not by chance, but by his will and appointment) it doth often take heart from vs, and much dismay vs from cheerefull going about that which wee are commanded, so weake is our faith, when with vnbeleeuing Thomas wee doe not see and behold with bodily eyes the meanes which are yet sufficient and at hand through Gods promise.