A10933:1135
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.
presently offereth to him the cause of the Church of God, to consider of, and desires that he may by his means be comforted in the relief of his countrymen the people of God. So Daniel having sundry rewards offered 1him for his good service by Nebuchadnezzar and Darius is content to to part with them all, so that the King will acknowledge the Lord Jehovah, the author of those gifts which he so admired. And reason there is hereof: for 2if Paul and Moses engaged their salvation, for the procuring of honour to 3God in the salvation of the Church: how much more are we bound to seek it by the forgoing of such a favour as we may well be without, and need not accept of? Besides, this wisdom should be in all Christians, to use every opportunity they may to the poor Church of God, especially seeing such occasions befall not often, nor to all sorts of men, in this kind. And further they had need of good discretion who should persuade men to convert that civill kindness which they offer them as friends, to a religious use, as Christians: sithence they may think it either unseasonable, or merely lost which they are drawn to bestow upon such matters, except themselves be first persuaded to the love of religion, and delight in the Saints of God, 4as Psalm. 16. Therefore to knit the next verse and the sum thereof, with ⟨p. 423⟩this which belongeth to the same end, let both sorts learn their duty. They who benefit others without hope of requital, let them not do it to make others obliged and bound to them, as servants and underlings; but use all the interest, credit, and love they have in and with them, (if they have opportunity) to persuade them to love and good works, and to draw them to God, if they be strangers; as the truth is, at the first, ignorant folk are more drawn by such inducements, then otherwise: or if they be already Christians, let them labour to draw them nearer, as I have said: saying thus every man to the other: If I may prevail with you any thing, or ye would gratify me, prefer God and his favour yourselves, and exhort other to do so, and commend godliness also to them, and the poor members of Christ, to make much of them, and to be their delight, who excel in virtue, before all earthly commodities: