A10933:110
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.
For as the breaking out of waters by cutting the bank that holdeth 1them in, is the overflowing of much ground, and spoileth it: so the making of a breach in the conscience, and the yielding and giving place to evil but ⟨p. 26⟩2a little, layeth open a man to much bondage and annoyance thereby, so that he goeth on, as on that runneth a pace from the top of an high and steep down hill, who is not able to stay till he come to the bottom. This truth which is verified in so many things, Solomon hath most lively exemplified in 3one: saying, An harlot is a deep grave, and a narrow pit: which he that falleth into, can hardly get out of to escape? And therefore to come to make use of this which hath been said, we are to know, that the counsel and rule that the Physician giveth for the preserving of health, namely, that we should resist the beginnings of danger; and so we shall be free from the evil that would follow, the same is meet for all such to be followed, as desire to enjoy their spiritual health, and that their souls may fear well, and that is, that they take great heed, when they be first enticed by the deceitfulness of sin, that they resist strongly before delight be kindled, and dally not with that which they are tempted with; lest they be also hardened: which if they do, they shall, by purging out that corruption, find the fruit of that holy counsel and promise in the Gospel, Watch and pray, so shall ye not fall into 4temptation. Oh, if some could have done it, when with Joseph they have been 5enticed, and could have shaken of the lewdness of their evil hearts; at what ease, and in what freedom might they have walked, who have, by giving place to their lusts, and not curbing them up in due time; brought themselves into a loathsome state of life, and to a continual bondage? And this confutes them, who being reproved for sin, excuse themselves like children, that it was the first time: or, that they went not so far, but they could easily desist. As they that dally with, women or maidens by unchaste speech,