A10933:851
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.
In this verse it is showed, that while Gideon was thus perplexed with 1fear, the Lord comforted him, that he being free from it, might the better go about that which was appointed him. For we know what a dangerous hindrance to faith, fear is. And therefore, what hart could he have to believe that he should work such a deliverance, who feared death every minute of an hour? And the Angel put away his fear, by promising him good success, and quietness of mind, and that he should not dye. This is 2the great goodness of God, that he will not long leave his faithful people in pinching fear, and pensive heaviness: but in good time delivereth them, least they should be too much cast down and discomforted. And so the Scriptures testify, that God would not have people left in troublesome passions; as fear or sorrow, which how troublesome they are, our experience teacheth. Joshua was sore troubled, when the people of Israel fell before the 3men of Ai, but God soon put him out of it. So likewise the good women in the Gospel were sore afraid, by reason of the earthquake, and the appearing of the Angel, but he bid them not to be afraid, even as here he saith to 4Gideon, Peace be to thee. Thus it were meet for all poor troubled consciences, to mark diligently how comfortably God speaketh to them, as that they should put away their needlesse ad hurtfull feares and griefs; for the which cause the Lord willeth with a doubling his words, Isaiah 40. 1. that his afflicted people should be comforted: for thus he saith there, as also in many other places; comfort ye, comfort ye my people. As if he should say, comfort them 5even at the heart. And this advice had so much the more need to be received of them, because when they begin once to be heavy, they forget that they were ever comforted, and pass their bounds in heaviness.
In this verse it is shewed, that while Gedeon was thus perplexed with 1feare, the Lord comforted him, that hee being free from it, might the better goe about that which was appointed him. For we know what a dangerous hindrance to faith, feare is. And therefore, what hart could hee haue to belieue that hee should worke such a deliuerance, who feared death euery minute of an howre? And the Angell put away his feare, by promising him good successe, and quietnesse of mind, and that he should not dye. This is