A10933:1158
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.
The use, in general, of this whole discourse, is, to be afraid to offend, seeing we be so unwilling to hear of any rebuke for the same, and not to be bold to sin by authority of the fathers, seeing we are not willing to take 1part with them in their punishments, but as shame and sorrow are unwelcome to us, so let the sins be also that bring them. For they quench faith, weaken grace, and loose our good name, beside the hindering of many duties. The Lord speaking of his faithful ones, saith: If they sin, I will correct 2them, &c. but my loving kindness I will never take from them. If then he mean not to forsake them, good cause why he should punish and correct them, that so they may be stopped in their bad course, and driven back again. As Saint Paul to Timothy saith, I am persuaded that the Lord had mercy upon 3me, as well for other mens example and benefit as mine own. And thus by such examples duly considered, and by the Scripture, we have consolation and hope. So that far be it from us to say: [Nay, if he be fallen, let him shift for himself, I had better opinion of him then he deserved, now I see, he is an hypocrite, a Demas, a revolter.] But oh man, is this the way for thee to procure to thy self compassion from others, if thou shouldest fall so, and hadst the like need? If thou sayest; God forbid I should stand in such need. I answer thee: Thou shalt do wisely in preventing such an occasion: but that is not done by an high-minded conceit that such a thing shall not befall thee, but rather by fear of thy self, and thy frailty. Neither by thy tenderness to others shalt thou be made the more subject to fall, but the more watchful against falling. But lest thou shouldest say, I shall not fall, hear the Apostle saying, Lest thou thy self be preoccupated, and do the like.
The vse, in generall, of this whole discourse, is, to bee afraid to offend, seeing wee bee so vnwilling to heare of any rebuke for the same, and not to be bold to sinne by authoritie of the fathers, seeing we are not willing to take 1part with them in their punishments, but as shame and sorrow are vnwelcome to vs, so let the sinnes be also that bring them. For they quench faith, weaken grace, and loose our good name, beside the hindering of many duties. The Lord speaking of his faithfull ones, saith: If they sinne, I will correct