A10933:587
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 what is it that hath relieved us at such times? Truly even this, if we have been able to believe that God will strengthen us against it, and that he hath promised so to do, and if also by prayer not feigned, we have set our faith a work, though it hath lien as almost dead before; even thus we grow to weaken the liking of that sin in us: as for fear of danger or shame of the world, they are but dull edged tools to cut off the head of such a monster. And although we be brought oft times to that point as to doubt, yet we should also strive by our faith in our prayers against it, and it shall not be in vain to do so. And the same we should do in our fear before affliction cometh, and in our heaviness for it, when it is come. For they that know any thing of the estate of a Christian, know this; that he is many times in great fear of falling into some sin, yea and perhaps, that which is foul and odious, though it be not usually so: Now if we do not call to mind, that God hath promised strength against all such adversary power, and that by the weapons of our warfare, (which are not carnal, but spiritual) we shall be able to beat down such strong holds; and if with the prayer of faith (as need requireth) we set not our selves so to do, we shall soon perceive that we lose ground, and grow weak, as Barak did for a while; who yet was strengthened again by Debora, so that he did most valiantly afterwards, in so much that he was renowned among the Worthies, and reported to have obtained the victory by faith; for at the hearing of Deboras words he went down from mount Tabor with his men near to the river Kishon against Sisera. This of the encouragement by Debora, and the fruit of it Barak.
And what is it that hath relieued vs at such times? Truly euen this, if we haue been able to beleeue that God will strengthen vs against it, and that he hath promised so to doe, and if also by prayer not fained, wee haue set our faith a worke, though it hath lien as almost dead before; euen thus we grow to weaken the liking of that sinne in vs: as for feare of danger or shame of the world, they are but dull edged tooles to cut off the head of such a monster. And although wee be brought oft times to that point as to doubt, yet we should also striue by our faith in our prayers against it, and it shall not be in vaine to doe so. And the same wee should doe in our feare before affliction commeth, and in our heauines for it, when it is come. For they that know any thing of the estate of a Christian, know this; that he is many times in great feare of falling into some finne, yea and perhaps, that which is foule and odious, though it be not vsually so: Now if we doe not call to minde, that God hath promised strength against all such aduersarie power, and that by the weapons of our warfare, (which are not carnall, but spirituall) wee shall be able to beate downe such strong holds; and if with the prayer of faith (as need requireth) we set not our selues so to doe, we shall soone perceiue that we lose ground, and grow weake, as Barak did for a while; who yet was strengthened againe by Debora, so that hee did most valiantly afterwards, in so much that he was renowned among the Worthies, and reported to haue obtained the victorie by faith; for at the hearing of Deboras words he went downe from mount Tabor with his men neere to the riuer Kishon against Sisera. This of the incouragement by Debora, and the fruite of it Barak.