A10933:888
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.
Also we may learn from hence, that when God showeth mercy to one 1in a kindred or family, it oft redounds to many of the rest, as when one is raised to promotion, the rest fare the better. So here God revealing himself to Gideon; his father, and so his family were brought to the knowledge of the true God. The reason whereof is double. First, Gods blessing upon the seed & stock of the righteous. Secondly, because where God hath wrought graciously in some one in a kindred or family, there commonly is wrought a great desire to do good to the rest, and that in great tenderness and love. As Paul professeth to the Romans, My hearts desire for Israel is, that he may 2be saved. And although they do not alway prevail (because salvation followeth Gods election, not nature) yet often it doth: and where it is otherwise, the juster is their condemnation. For proof of this, our Saviour Christ himself may be an example, who brought his disciples, and some of his kindred to be religious. And he hath taught us, that the Gospel is compared to leaven, which spreaddeth further and further. And thus by some one whom God hath well seasoned with grace, many of the rest have been in like manner made partakers of the same grace with them. A joyful sight to behold. I would it were not so in Popery, that one did draw many: and it were to be wished, that it might be seen to be more common in the receiving of the Gospel effectually, that the rest of the family and affinity did so. This, I say, is often seen; though commonly one of a city, and two of a tribe, as the Prophet saith, meaning but a few. Yea, how often is it seen, that a godly Abigail is coupled with a Nabal, and Job with a foolish woman? How truly is it said of many good parents, Their children are ungracious, as they tell Samuel to his face? yea and of how many parents also, who are badly disposed, 3that even their children shall rise up against them, and condemn them, for that they go before them in knowledge & the fear of God? while they being wedded to their will, take scorn to learn of them; nay, it were well, if they would learn of good teachers, and that they abused not their authority to curb and discourage their children. But as for the third sort, most woeful is their estate, when like father like child, as the head is so is the foot, all ignorant, brutish and ungodly, as Isaiah saith.