A10933:827
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.
So had Moses, and the Apostles, as their place and occasions offered, did require. And so may and ought we to be persuaded, that how unfit and unworthy soever we are and feel our selves to be, if the Lord call us to any estate or duty, he will arm us against all difficulties, toil and tediousness therein. The Lord doth not lay heavy burdens upon men, and give them weak shoulders: but dealeth out to every member his measure, according to the use and service which belongs to it: a double spirit to Elisha above Elijah, according to his double need. Even as we see the gift of strength is given to the arms and shoulders in mans body, because they serve for the strongest use. And so, because he knoweth the difficulties both within and without, which a godly Christian shall meet with, therefore he leaves him not to sink under them, but gives him faith, and enables him by that to overcome, not one or a few, but the world, that is all. And as our Saviour 1speaks, Hath the Lord so clothed the grass, the creatures, and will he not much more provide for his people? So by the like argument, hath God given every creature, even the beasts, some one gift or other, according to the need thereof, to it own preservation, as swiftness to the small, strength to the great, to some one kind of armour, to some another; and shall he fail in the necessary furnishing of his people with that grace, without which they should not be able to attain the end of their redemption and election? No doubtless. But here is a two-fold objection: First, many who zealously desire to 2do good in the Church, or otherwise, yet want gifts. Answ. It is not every mans part to judge aright of another mans gifts: for gifts which may seem mean to us, may be mighty through the blessing of God concurring to effect great matters. Again, I say, if God give but small sufficiency and gifts, he requireth but a proportioned work and service: for he exacts not that vantage of him who hath but one talent, which he doth of another who hath five. To the second objection, that many whose gifts are great, 3do little good. I answer: Their sin is the greater, but that hinders not that doctrine; for though all whom God sets on work shall be fitted, yet not contrarily, if he appoint them not to the work, neither call them to it.