A10933:1142
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.
Again, Gideons setting up the Ephod, was the occasion of the peoples 1falling to commit spiritual fornication with it, through his letting it alone, and they worshipped it, as their fathers did the brazen Serpent: which therefore Ezechia commanded to be taken down. Gideon had done well therefore, if he had so served the Ephod also, when he saw superstition to arise by occasion of it. And this is the best fruit and success of blind and ignorant ⟨p. 425⟩devotion, that it draweth some mischief alway with it, as the gross absurdities in Popery, of which I spake, arose at the first upon such beginnings. So that the thing which in these cases is to be done, is, that all superstition and implements thereof be held out of the Church of Christ: but if any of them have been suffered to remain, the next is, that as soon as may be, they be removed. And as for Gods ordinances, they ought not to be turned from their kind and right use of serving him in civill cases, (as the Ephod was appointed by Gideon) as to make plays of them, or offer them any such abuse: as the Word and Sacraments. But I pass to another thing concerning the people.
Againe, Gedeons setting vp the Ephod, was the occasion of the peoples 1falling to commit spirituall fornication with it, through his letting it alone, and they worshipped it, as their fathers did the brasen Serpent: which therfore Ezechia commanded to be taken downe. Gedeon had done well therefore, if he had so serued the Ephod also, when he saw superstition to arise by occasion of it. And this is the best fruite and successe of blinde and ignorant ⟨p. 425⟩deuotion, that it draweth some mischiefe alway with it, as the grosse absurdities in Poperie, of which I spake, arose at the first vpon such beginnings. So that the thing which in these cases is to bee done, is, that all superstition and implements thereof be held out of the Church of Christ: but if any of them haue been suffered to remaine, the next is, that as soone as may be, they be remoued. And as for Gods ordinances, they ought not to bee turned from their kinde and right vse of seruing him in ciuill cases, (as the Ephod was appointed by Gedeon) as to make playes of them, or offer them any such abuse: as the Word and Sacraments. But I passe to another thing concerning the people.