A10933:1112
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.
but slight and short in teaching the rules before named, to restrain the abuse thereof: rather be they short in the former, and wary and large in the latter, to cut off all lewd pretences. As we see Paul doth, for having said, Be angry: fearing he should have disciples too many: he straight way 1addeth, [but sin not] and this cuts the comb of the Libertine. So doth the wise Preacher, Eccles. 11. Rejoice young man, and take thy pleasure, &c. But know that for all this thou shalt come to judgement. Now if the best be subject 2to these failings, what shall be said of the worst? Surely no wonder, if they regard not at all, whether it be good or bad they do, but run to their object, as the fish to the bait? Or if they do enquire, then they do it after the fact done, as Solomon saith of the sacrilegious, which bewrays a vile mind. 3For if they desire to hear it be well, what a profaneness is this to desire that Gods rule were crooked, so their doings be straight? But if they think otherwise, they make the Minister of God a stale, and as for God himself, they make him a God of clouts, who must take their frothy repentance and satisfaction in good part, be it what and when they please: but for themselves, they will be on the surest hand with him, first to satisfy their desire, and to inquire afterwards, whether they did well or no. Again for good duties, they cannot do them well, themselves being evil: as for indifferent: 4though they say, Let us alone, if we know we may do them, we will take order good enough for the manner and end. For like fools they run into the contrary extremity, or else into monstrous excess in the use of the liberty. So that truly it is said of such, They are set in slippery places: for they delight most of all to set their foot on the brink of the ditch or river, who seeth not with what danger? but they love not to walk upon plain ground, which they might do safely: and so they slide suddenly, and in the end perish remedilessly.
but slight and short in teaching the rules before named, to restraine the abuse thereof: rather be they short in the former, and warie and large in the latter, to cut off all lewd pretences. As wee see Paul doth, for hauing said, Be angrie: fearing he should haue disciples too many: he straight way