A10933:722
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.
The examples are infinite, that may be brought to this purpose. But I will contain my self, adding only this one, how should the Apostles, being poor fishermen, do so great a work, as to subdue the greatest part of the world to their doctrine? which was as if a man would have undertaken to tame the wild beasts in the wilderness: But by Christs sending them the most powerful gifts of the holy Ghost; as the confirming of their faith, the increase of knowledge, courage in pains taking and to withstand their enemies, the gift of tongues, and of working miracles, we see it came so to pass. And though such things be not wrought in these days, as neither is it necessary that such should now be wrought; yet many of the ordinary works which God will have to be done by his, in this latter age, are great and not to be passed over slightly.
The examples are infinite, that may be brought to this purpose. But I will containe my selfe, adding onely this one, how should the Apostles, being poore fishermen, doe so great a worke, as to subdue the greatest part of the world to their doctrine? which was as if a man would haue vndertaken to tame the wilde beasts in the wildernesse: But by Christs sending them the most powerfull gifts of the holy Ghost; as the confirming of their faith, the increase of knowledge, courage in paines taking and to withstand their enemies, the gift of tongues, and of working miracles, wee see it came so to passe. And though such things be not wrought in these daies, as neither is it necessarie that such should now be wrought; yet many of the ordinarie workes which God will haue to be done by his, in this latter age, are great and not to be passed ouer slightly.
For how unlike a thing is it, for a private man or woman, who have no other outward gifts of God, to speak of, but only this, that they can read ⟨p. 271⟩the Scriptures in their own language; how unlike is it, I say, that such living among people of most profane and bad behaviour, should not be 1tainted with them, and defiled by them; as he that toucheth pitch? Nay, that they being baited, disgraced, and scorned of them, (as they are in many places) should not faint and be discouraged by them, and driven from their hope, and profession of it, but that they should walk on in the uprightness of their hearts, and innocency of their hands, so far and so long, till their light so shining, doth lighten some of these which hated them, who sat long in darkness, and cause them to embrace that conversation, to the which they had been such deadly enemies before; this (I say) is a thing to be wondered at, even as to see the lamb and the lion to feed together. And yet (God be