A10933:906
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.
It followeth how God furnished Gideon with gifts of the spirit, both wisdom and courage, whereby, according to that which he had said to him before [Go in this thy power, and thou shalt save Israel out of the hands of Midian] he was new fitted for it. Which teacheth, that when God appointeth his servants to any charge or business of his, he enableth them to go through it, and ministereth help to them accordingly. So Paul saith in a far greater 1work then this of Gideons, that God counted him faithful, and put him in his service, after he had appointed him thereunto. So Saul when he was chosen King, had gifts given him to govern, God making him thereby, as the text saith, another man. So the Lord dealeth with those whom he maketh Ministers of the Gospel, that they shall do his message to the people faithfully and diligently, and plainly and powerfully; to the just challenging of them, who boldly take upon them so weighty a calling as doth concern the saving or destroying the souls of men, having no furniture of preaching the Gospel soundly and clearly, neither any care to look that way, nor other grace bestowed upon them. Now Gods work is not only some great service, as Gideons to fight, and Pauls to preach, and Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt: but even to live in the married estate, to walk in a calling public or private, and much more to profess the name of Christ, in what condition soever. And when we speak of Gods calling a man to this work, (I mean not any sensible calling by voice,) as here Gideon extraordinarily was: but when a man entereth into these estates, functions, or actions by direction and warrant of the lawfulness or necessity thereof, from the word and ordination of the Church. Using also the holiest and best means to obtain faith, knowledge, wisdom and conscience to discharge them well: to such I say, ⟨p. 341⟩God will not be wanting, although they may think that their case is not as Gideons, (and yet they had need be no weaker in faith, nor lower brought then he was) and that they are but silly private persons; yes, God will so bless them, and prosper their lawful enterprises, yea though they deem themselves unfit to undertake such works, or unable to go through them:
It followeth how God furnished Gedeon with gifts of the spirit, both wisdome and courage, whereby, according to that which hee had said to him before [Goe in this thy power, and thou shalt saue Israel out of the hands of Midian] he was new fitted for it. Which teacheth, that when God appointeth his seruants to any charge or businesse of his, hee inableth them to goe through it, and ministreth helpe to them accordingly. So Paul saith in a farre greater