A10933:107
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.
Indeed it is more noisome and furious, if it be accompanied with envy, therefore Solomon saith, Who can stand before envy? for the envious 1are obstinate, and cannot be reconciled. Therefore whatsoever measure be offered by such, it is certain, that it shall be hard enough, seeing 2their very mercies are cruelty. What remaineth then for such persons to do, to the end they may (if it be possible) cast of this cruelty, as a most filthy and loathsome garment, but this? that they give themselves no rest, till it become as odious and loathsome to them, as it is to other, which is not hard for him to obtain, that will be persuaded to look into the odiousness of it: that when he hath found it, he may fall down at the Lords feet for mercy to cover the foulness of it, and forgive it; and that being believed, embrace gentleness and mercy, and kindness toward others, in stead of rigour. Like 3the Jailer in the Acts: who, though he had usedg reat cruelty against Paul and Silas, yet when he repented, did wash their wounds most lovingly, which before scourging of them, he had made in their bodies, and set meat ⟨p. 25⟩before them in his house most cheerfully, whom he had before thrust hungry into the inward prison most cruelly. Also let it teach us, both to pray that we be not given over into the hands of unreasonable and unconscionable men, who are as absurd as cruel in their malice. As the Apostle willeth the people to pray, 2. Thes. 3. and to give thanks that we have 4been either kept from being a pray to such devourers, or mercifully snatched out of their jaws, as a costly garment out of the fire.
Indeed it is more noisome and furious, if it bee accompanied with enuy, therefore Salomon saith, Who can stand before enuy? for the enuious 1are obstinate, and cannot bee reconciled. Therefore whatsoeuer measure be offered by such, it is certaine, that it shall be hard inough, seeing