A10933:453
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 why he bringeth to light such excellent tidings of the kingdom of glory, by so weak means; Saint Paul showeth the reason in these words; We have this treasure in earthen vessels (saith he) that the excellency of that power 1might be of God, and not of us. Therefore despise not the weak, by whom God worketh; neither let such discourage themselves, who by the grace of humility, meekness, love, and such like, with their small gifts, shall edify and build up the Church of Christ, when the knowledge in the bare letter, of such as are thereby puffed up, shall do little good. And as it is in the ministry, 2so shall it be seen in the people, that true godliness accompanying the knowledge of Christ, though ridiculous among men, shall do much in persuading and drawing many to the love of the Gospel, and fellowship therein; which as it is the greatest, so it is (doubtless) the rarest thing that is to be seen among the people. As in the example of the woman of Samaria is to be seen, who brought her neighbours to Christ, being converted her self: yea and this may be seen still at this day, that even private persons truly religious, shall with their humility, diligence, and love, do much more good then they who have variety of knowledge and utterance, being destitute of those graces, though they be little accounted of. The use of all that I have said of this point is, that we have the works of God (how meanly soever accounted of) and specially his work of grace in men, that we have them (I say) in most high reverence, in comparison of the gloriousest acts of men. And this of the four points in this story, from the 12. verse; namely, 1. the revolting of the people from God: 2. the Lords punishing them: 3. their crying to God: and 4. his sending a deliverer to them. And thus much of this matter.
And why he bringeth to light such excellent tidings of the kingdome of glory, by so weake meanes; Saint Paul sheweth the reason in these words; We haue this treasure in earthen vessels (saith he) that the excellency of that power 1might be of God, and not of vs. Therfore despise not the weake, by whom God worketh; neither let such discourage themselues, who by the grace of humility, meeknesse, loue, and such like, with their small gifts, shall edifie and build vp the Church of Christ, when the knowledge in the bare letter, of such as are thereby puffed vp, shall doe little good. And as it is in the ministery,