A10933:1192
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.
Oh what multitudes are there of such in our age? In which (yet there is more done for making them good, (especially in some places) then hath been in former times, though they are rare, who offend not herein even in the sight of others. A thing much to be lamented, to see so many youths unlike their good parents: but where none or weak means are used to make them better, it is not to be marvelled at. The woe to both, is not known commonly, 1till it be so felt, that it is past remedying. The beholding of the contrary, as it is rare, so it is goodly and beautiful. But it is a great cause, why the death of children before they come to proof, should be borne patiently, seeing it is not to be doubted, but that most of them are taken away at the best, and who knoweth to what woe they might be brought, if they should live? It is to be lamented that the examples of good parents being so few, yet even of these few, few (to speak of) prevail with their children: from whence the common complaint of all sorts is, as theirs to Samuel. A good father: but 2the child walks not in his steps. For the infinite bad patterns of governors, are generally embraced: none fearing to follow where they have led the dance, no, though it be to destruction, as if all the beasts of the forrest should each follow the tract of his fellow, to the den of the Lion, because till they be within the den, and past recovery, there appears in the footsteps no danger. It is said of Jacobs ewes, that beholding the pilled rods laid in their water-troughs, they conceived particoloured lambs forthwith: and so a man would think that so near and domesticall examples, as good parents are to their children, (who are nourished by them, grow up with them, and are warmed by their heat, as Nathan speaks of the poor mans 3sheep: yea have the benefit of the familiar instruction, and conversation, of such as are of their own disposition, and nature:) a man would think, (I ⟨p. 441⟩say) that such should take after them in grace, as they do resemble them in their visage, or natural properties. A man would think, that they should (as it were) through a mutual feeling of the joy which a good parent hath of a wise child, and of the sorrow by the contrary: that they should also rejoice in following their goodness.