A10933:1195
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.
That which we have to learn hereby, is this: that all shifts and subtle 1practises are ready at hand with them that intend mischief: and that which they go about, is by lying, cogging, and falsehood. But as for the Lord in their dealings, he must stand by, and a same off. The reason of both is, the 2heart of men is evil above measure, and is deep, and hath many abominations in it. They devise, and go to work without him, and we see likewise that thereafter they prosper. To these way be added other, and some that profess the Gospel, who should be ashamed to be found so grossly to degenerate, as to use like practises to the other, though they be covered with some fairer shows, who cast off God and say in their hearts, depart from us, 3we desire not to have acquaintance with thee. These shall one day know and ⟨p. 442⟩that to their cost, that they should have been examples unto other in good life, as they did profess, without which they shall surely come to naught. Besides the subtlety of the hart, there is another cause of this, even the craft of Satan, (who rules in his children) teaching them how to contrive, and warp all subtle shifts, and policies, both to achieve their evil purposes, and to defend them being brought to pass: And some of his scholars finding this trade to follow their hand, as they desire, make it their chief work, to invent evil and mischief, and excuses to cover it withal: they are not where they would be, if they be otherwise occupied. Our mother 4Eve learned it from the beginning, of him the father of shifts and lies, (for they go together) for her posterity: though some seem to have it entailed unto them, above others. As, who almost, can be so suddenly come upon, but he hath a shift in readiness? and though all be not a like plausible, yet (as the proverb is) a bad one is better then none at all. By this let none think that all policy is forbidden: for Nathan and Bathsheba had plotted a wise course, but that was to the great good of Church and Commonwealth, & that by honest means, against Adoniah, as appears by