A10933:830
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 this is to teach us, that we ought to have the like scruple, and make the like question, when any thing doubtful is urged upon us, that for no 1mans pleasure, nor by example of any, we be led; but to prove all things by the weights of the Sanctuary, which is the word of God: that so we may be satisfied. And if in the mouth of two or three witnesses that be confirmed which is brought unto us, we are there to rest: and that should be enough to us; but as for miracles or signs now, that it is the truth which is taught us, we are not to seek or ask for any. And the like we are to do in all our troubles and fears, and not to fetch comfort from conceit, or the spirit without the word, or from any thing else, which is but a false ground. And this wise regard in Gideon, to deal sure in so weighty a case, and not rashly to depend upon a bare mans word for the effecting of so great a work, as he knew none but God could enable him unto: layeth greatly to our charge, who in matters of far greater weight, do yet deal far more loosely and slenderly then he did in this. The wise man saith, The fool believeth ⟨p. 311⟩2every thing▪ meaning every thing, which he desireth and would fain have, he believeth, and is easily persuaded of it that it is so as he would have it, though he have nothing of moment and good ground to show for it. Among men it is counted a sign of great folly to deal thus rawly in things only concerning our temporal estate, and to rest upon every mans word and report, yea though it be but ambiguous and obscurely uttered: and the reason is good, why it is so: they who do so, give every man advantage to overreach, abuse, deceive, and wrong them, besides the great controversies and contentions, suites and charge, which they procure to themselves needlessly thereby. But (to speak of weightier matters) what one among many counteth it his folly, to hold his salvation upon sandy grounds and evidences, as upon his own good meanings and desires, upon the good opinion that others conceive of him, upon some slight sorrow for sin, or confessing of it to God, also upon his hearing of the word, upon a blind hope, or upon some good yet common fruits of hearing; as good speech, in some places, upon taking liking of good people, liking the Ministry, or lending, and giving some thing to the poor in their distress: