A10933:589
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 by this we may see again the mighty force and power of faith, 1where it is firm and strong, what great things it bringeth to pass. It is no marvel though it be said by the Apostle, that faith over cometh the world, 2even all and the greatest difficulties therein. For what hardness doth any man go through in his whole life like unto this here mentioned, and overcome it also, unless it be thus, even by the help and power of faith? which 3is no more then to give credit to God in that which he speaketh, when we see no such thing, nor likelihood if it, but rather of the contrary many times with our bodily eyes. Even thus hath God magnified his word in all ages, when men have found every part of it true by faith, and by this it hath pleased him to make men see his unspeakable kindness, while they believe the promise in which he offereth it unto them. By this faith we also at this day have sure hold of forgiveness and eternal life, even so many as are weary of 4sin, and thirst for both, and that because we judge him faithful that hath promised, and by this we are persuaded of a good end of our days, because 5God hath said it, to all in whom he hath made a good beginning thereof. So saith the Apostle, faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. So that all things are possible, how unlikely soever, to him that believeth. This is the cause why some more esteem and price this faith then gold that perisheth: and declare, that they cannot do too much to come by & retain it, even while they be laughed to scorn of the wicked world, who think it mere foolishness to do so, as Noah the preacher of righteousness was in his time, while he believing that an universal flood should come, prepared the Ark. But herein I might wade infinitely, and this I confess, that howsoever I forbear to speak of the most of other things twice; yet of this I profess to speak as oft as I shall have occasion, the thing itself being so excellent, so necessary, and yet so difficult, to see thoroughly into. I only now require, that we may weigh the power and truth of Gods word, to the end we may stay our selves upon it. The word of a man whom we count faithful, doth much persuade us in great difficulties, and quickeneth is if he bring us good tidings, when we were before in great heaviness.