A10933:990
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.
Sermon 48 › Chapter 7 › Part 3: The third part of the Chapter.
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.
Even as here we see, that although these means here used by Gideon and his soldiers, served not to beat down and destroy their enemies: yet we see that they served to terrify, affright, and scatter them, and to set one of them against another. And yet our carnal reason, if we trust not to weapons in war, scoffs at our fasting and prayer, by which Jehoshaphat got great 1victory, and Esther the Queen prevailed against that wicked Haman in a most great difficulty. So preaching is foolish to reason, and humane wisdom 2for bringing men to Christ. But read 1. Cor. 1. what the Apostle ⟨p. 370⟩there saith, to wit, That we must become fools that we may be wise: while yet the 3wit of man deviseth another way, and most fit to deceive himself: as for example, if he be predestinate to salvation, he saith he shall be saved, though he never hear sermon. And even so men speak of watching over their lives, praying, and the worshipping of God in their family, and the like; that they are more then need to be used. So they persuade themselves that policy, toil and labour are all in all, to bring Gods blessing upon them, in all that they set their hands unto, though the Prophet in the Psalm have taught the contrary, saying: Except the Lord build the city, the labourers toil 4themselves but in vain. But of this hath often been spoken.
Euen as heere wee see, that although these meanes heere vsed by Gedeon and his souldiers, serued not to beate downe and destroy their enemies: yet we see that they serued to terrifie, affright, and scatter them, and to set one of them against another. And yet our carnall reason, if wee trust not to weapons in warre, scoffes at our fasting and prayer, by which Iehosaphat got great 1victory, and Hester the Queene preuailed against that wicked Haman in a most great difficulty. So preaching is foolish to reason, and humane wisdome