A10933:565
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 more particularly, seeing Barak was punished with losing the glory, 1which he should have had but for his unbelief, this teacheth us, that glory, and good name & report, is reckoned among the good things that a godly person may desire and be glad to enjoy: nay, it is that which he should ensue, because it is a token of Gods approbation, if his people report well of us: seeing they are taught by the same spirit, to discern who are like them. Therefore John, by a probable argument, proveth Demetrius to be a 2good man, because of his good report. It is to be lamented, that all they whom God alloweth, do not desire this also, and deserve it by the fruits of their love toward his Church: For it is the note of an arrogant and dissolute person, to scorn the good opinion that his brethren conceive of him. Even as precious ointments are known by their smell, so is a godly Christian by the savour of his good name, especially in the place where he ⟨p. 207⟩dwelleth, as being best known there. Indeed, the principal care should be to give the Lord his due praise, for else we beguile and deceive men in causing them to think well of us, and much more we do dangerously deceive our selves: but that being well regarded and looked unto, in the next place let our care be that the Church of God may give us allowance, and see just cause to report well of us. As it is said of Zechariah and his wife, that both they 3were just before God, and toward men unreprovable, and therefore of good report. So Cornelius had a good name among the Jews. Now glory or 4good name, is a certain good opinion and estimation conceived of a man for his well doing. For those things which good men do virtuously and well, do purchase commendation and glory unto them. The end to the which which we ought to use and direct this good report, is this, namely the advancing of the name of God, and also to give good example to other of following us: and as the ends are both good, so is that good also, by the which they are procured. Therefore although a good name be not to be sought for it self, as though that were the thing we chiefly intended, and rested in, and no other, yet it is not to be despised, for those ends which I have mentioned, namely, the glorifying of God, and the edification of our brethren.