A10933:1114
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.
Although the act was good, that he was urged to, yet fear and modesty 1in him being so young, was commendable: for there must be time to settle youth even in that which is good, which takes not root easily, much less grows to bring forth fruit, especially when there is some show and appearance of evil in it. As in Gideons son unexperienced in these kinds of manhood and courage, the falling upon two valiant Princes by him a boy, it was to be commended that he feared to do it. His father did well in urging, but tenderness excused him, in not obeying. His example may worthily set to school too many youths too bold of their own accord, without instigation, to attempt and set upon not doubtful but vile actions of theft, whoredom, drunkenness, swearing, ribaldry and the like, odious both to God and man, as breaking all bounds of modesty, fear, and bashfulness: the enjoying of the which are comely ornaments in youth; and do stand them instead, while yet religion is to seek with them, to keep and hold them back from great and shameful evils, as bold fellowship with lewd housewives and companions. And here justly may we take up a lamentation over our times, for the want of civill and godly education of youth: whereby sin hath now so got the upper hand, that the boldness which we have seen in grown sinners, men of ripe years, with astonishment, we behold now with execration, even in children and youth, new come out of the shell. And while parents (guilty of the same, or at least irreligious) do in particular neglect the care of such their children, by dissuading, and discouraging them from the sins of the time, and by good education keep them from them, behold the disease groweth, ere they be aware, common and desperate: and those parents are so few that show their care this way, that it were well if religious parents often times did not nourish and wink at such evil qualities in their children.
Although the act was good, that he was vrged to, yet feare and modestie 1in him being so young, was commendable: for there must be time to settle youth euen in that which is good, which takes not roote easily, much lesse growes to bring foorth fruite, especially when there is some shew and appearance of euill in it. As in Gedeons sonne vnexperienced in these kindes of manhood and courage, the falling vpon two valiant Princes by him a boy, it was to be commended that he feared to doe it. His father did well in vrging, but tendernes excused him, in not obeying. His example may worthily set to schoole too many youths too bold of their owne accord, without instigation, to attempt and set vpon not doubtfull but vile actions of theft, whoredome, drunkennes, swearing, ribaldrie and the like, odious both to God and man, as breaking all bounds of modestie, feare, and bashfulnes: the enioying of the which are comely ornaments in youth; and doe stand them instead, while yet religion is to seeke with them, to keepe and holde them backe from great and shamefull euils, as bold fellowship with lewd huswiues and companions. And here iustly may we take vp a lamentation ouer our times, for the want of ciuill and godly education of youth: whereby sinne hath now so got the vpper hand, that the boldnes which wee haue seene in growne sinners, men of ripe yeeres, with astonishment, wee behold now with execration, euen in children and youth, new come out of the shell. And while parents (guiltie of the same, or at least irreligious) doe in particular neglect the care of such their children, by disswading, and discouraging them from the sinnes of the time, and by good education keep them from them, behold the disease groweth, ere they bee aware, common and desperate: and those parents are so few that shew their care this way, that it were well if religious parents often times did not nourish and winke at such euill qualities in their children.