A10933:1204
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.
And as such may much rejoice, though their infirmities hold them under, so yet they who flourish and lift up their heads on high, and count themselves the only happy people, because they are more righteous, as they call it) that is to say, counted honest, and civill dealers, and such as cannot be blemished with any open blot and stain of infamy for oppression, falsehood, uncleanness, and yet void of religion, even these also (so many of them as will show themselves wise indeed; let them (I say) know they are in little better case than the other in Gods account, seeing they hate to be reformed. And for all their vaunting themselves, and the high conceit that they have of their good estate toward God, as if they were the only religious persons, yet while they submit not their neck to the Lords yoke of obedience, but abhor and scorn such as they think go beyond them in sincere piety, who make conscience of stricter matters, (as the world count them) as idle speech, pride of life, foolish resting, filthy pleasures, railing, slandering, lying, deceiving, &c. even they, most certainly have God their adversary, and because they repent not, they shall likewise perish. Doubtless 1it were (I deny not) to be wished, that there were no worse in towns, then these of the civiller sort, and it were greatly for the benefit of the commonwealth, that gross villainies were rooted out among them, & common virtues practised, as the outward worshipping of God, and peace with men. But yet these, (as the Scripture testifieth) are far from happiness, as before hath been noted: the which I say, partly lest these men should deceive themselves and others, with an erroneous conceit of that good which is not in them, (while they search not their hearts, and purge out the filth that is there, and yet glory of repentance: and partly, that Gods people may see cause of endeavouring after a further measure of grace and true holiness; rather then to faint therein, and break off their good beginnings. And the Lord doth oft times therefore pluck out such whole and civil men, (as 2they love to be counted) by the ears from their fellows, and for the example of many other, he suffereth them to disguise themselves grossly by falling into the sins for which they have scorned and disclaimed others, as adultery▪ and boasted themselves to be free from them.