A10933:1077
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.
And not only when we be crossed and hindered in good actions we do thus, but if we have but some one let in our way, as even in our common business, such distemperature, as I have spoken of, shall possess us: or if we have lost something, though of small value, yea though it be but only missing and out of the way: or if we be hindered by the weather which is ordinary, or (as oft it falleth out) through our own rashness only, as when we 1[…] stumble and hurt our foot against a stone, what should we then be like to do, if in going about any duty, we should have so many and great lets in the way, and crossings of us, as may easily meet with us, and those also as it were sent from God to resist us? It is therefore the singular and only grace of God to enable us to believe and be persuaded, that he doth oft times such things to try us, and that we may show forth the grace of faith and patience that is in us; and therefore we are to hold our peace, seeing he hath done it. And such hinderances and crossings fall out sometimes, when we are going to prayer privately, or in our family, or to the hearing of the word preached, or to receive the sacrament, &c. from which no wise body will say, we should be withdrawn by any pretence, as though we pleased not God therein, seeing even in them some lets do rise up in the way to hinder us. And the like we may observe in those discouragements which are from within our selves. For example, when a Minister in his course of preaching, shall find ill measure at the hands of others, whose good he most seeketh, while they see not the purpose of God toward them; (as Moses did by the Israelites when he was first sent unto them, Exod. 6.) or if they shall 2but despise Gods providence toward them, as the Pharisees are said to have 3done, how (think we) is this like to work upon him? or (which is more) if he shall feel within himself great unfitness, as Moses did, Exod. 3. and 4some unwillingness, deadness, drowsiness, or want of assistance from God in discharge of the work of his ministry, (all which are great dampings to a man, who hath used the best means to furnish himself both with knowledge and conscience) and yet even the best sometimes have the proof hereof in themselves. What thoughts (think we) are like to arise in him in such a case?