A10933:1005
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.
Who seeks to bring the excellency thereof into the view of the world, or upon their own proof and experience to teach others, the next and directest way both of being and walking as a Christian? And why? because men are not wise to follow this trade without breakings off, and many onsets and turn-againes: they neither will search out and use the best means which may make them expert, and bring in gain, nor will learn wisdom to prevent disadvantages, annoyances, temptations, and therefore their work goes not forward, their skill in this trade comes not to ripeness. For behold, while they think they serve God commendably in some duties which they apply their mind too, there grows in them noisome lusts, unseen, unrepented off, and these make them new to begin, and set them so much behind hand again, that they almost despair of ever recovering their forwardness neglected.
Who seekes to bring the excellencie thereof into the view of the world, or vpon their owne proofe and experience to teach others, the next and directest way both of being and walking as a Christian? And why? because men are not wise to follow this trade without breakings off, and many onsets and turne-againes: they neither will search out and vse the best meanes which may make them expert, and bring in gaine, nor will learne wisedome to preuent disaduantages, annoyances, temptations, and therefore their worke goes not forward, their skill in this trade comes not to ripenesse. For behold, while they thinke they serue God commendably in some duties which they apply their mind too, there growes in them noisome lusts, vnseene, vnrepented off, and these make them new to begin, and set them so much behind hand againe, that they almost despaire of euer recouering their forwardnesse neglected.
The Beniamites we read in the 20. of this book, met their brethren in 1the field stoutly: but lo, the evil was behind them, and that they were not aware off, till the flame and smoke ascended, and then all their courage was cooled. To teach us (if we will prosper) to make clean work before us, and leave not something undone, through sloth, which will cost us double and treble afterward. And if we be wise, let us learn with Gideon how to use and keep the victory as well as how to get it: how to cleanse out that evil which we are prone to, as do some duties which we like; lest according to the proverb: He that flieth and escapeth, will return and fight again; whereas we might have slain him right down at the first, and been past all danger.