A10933:1105
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.
Their answer, that they were goodly men, as if they had been the sons 1of a King, doth teach us, that many for all their outward prerogatives that they have above other men, in favour, birth, manhood, or honour and wealth, yet have no hold of them, yea rather, they are deprived of them in an hour, though they hoped and pleased themselves in looking for the continuance of them for many years, as may be seen in these that slew and were slain. So was Sisera soon cut off, and Eglon, Jezebel and many others. For they lie open to many more dangers, then meaner persons, especially being wicked, as I have said. All that are wise therefore, will beware how they please themselves, or rest in any earthly thing here below, but use it soberly for their own and the good of others; being like in this changeable world, to change also, and that daily, and their pomp and glory to turn to vanity: and in the middest of all painted felicity of this world, happy is he only, who glorieth and rejoiceth in the Lord. Which doctrine (I confess) is often iterated, but when I consider the great necessity thereof, and how contrary the most mens practise is thereto: I conclude, that it is the wisdom of the Spirit of God to give occasion of the same almost in every sentence, sometime and oft in some chapter, to the end that the commonness of the sin might be somewhat checked by the often repeating and reproving thereof. And so it becometh them that are wise to judge, and prepare their appetite where the holy Ghost hath provided savoury meat and instruction, and not to be weary of hearing, where he is not weary of teaching.
Their answer, that they were goodly men, as if they had been the sonnes 1of a King, doth teach vs, that many for all their outward prerogatiues that they haue aboue other men, in fauour, birth, manhood, or honour and wealth, yet haue no hold of them, yea rather, they are depriued of them in an houre, though they hoped and pleased themselues in looking for the continuance of them for many yeeres, as may be seene in these that slew and were slaine. So was Sisera soone cut off, and Eglon, Iezabel and many others. For they lie open to many more dangers, then meaner persons, especially being wicked, as I haue said. All that are wise therefore, will beware how they please themselues, or rest in any earthly thing here below, but vse it soberly for their owne and the good of others; being like in this changeable world, to change also, and that daily, and their pompe and glory to turne to vanitie: and in the middest of all painted felicitie of this world, happy is he onely, who glorieth and reioyceth in the Lord. Which doctrine (I confesse) is often iterated, but when I consider the great necessitie thereof, and how contrary the most mens practise is thereto: I conclude, that it is the wisdome of the Spirit of God to giue occasion of the same almost in euery sentence, sometime and oft in some chapter, to the end that the commonnesse of the sin might bee somewhat checked by the often repeating and reproouing therof. And so it becommeth them that are wise to iudge, and prepare their appetite where the holy Ghost hath prouided sauoury meate and instruction, and not to be wearie of hearing, where he is not wearie of teaching.