A10933:1296
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.
Even as a natural child cannot bear it, if he hear his father reproached: and therefore the blasphemies against God given forth by Atheists and malicious enemies, (such as those were of cursed Rabsachee) against Moses, and Christ, the Scriptures, and worship of God. And such as that was of the Pharisees, who said to the man that was restored to his sight, We know that this 1man, (meaning Jesus) is a sinner; and finally whatsoever such (as there are many of this kind, not fit to be spoken of before Christian ears) they are all intolerable, yea and meaner reproaches given out against him, ought not to be suffered, as swearing, forswearing, filthy talking, or the like; but rather, we should honour God in our bodies and souls, for they are Gods. And 2because he that loveth him who begat, loveth him who is begotten also; therefore let this natural affection and kind for Gods honour, descend from him, to the meanest of his Saints, yea let it make our ears and cheeks to glow and burn, when we hit into such company as make it their game and pastime to deride and traduce them whom we know zealous and sincere Preachers and professors of Gods holy truth. Let the Lords example teach us, who professeth, that he had as lief men should touch the apple of his eye, as so touch his holy ones. And if we find not such reproaches to touch us to the quick and search us, so that we step forth, and stand out in the defence of such innocents when there is cause; but secretly and willingly give way to such speeches, as if they displeased us not, but we bear, yea and brook them too, we are no better them false-witness-bearers against our neighbour, Exod. 20. we show our selves, I say, not weak and feeble; but (it 3may be feared) none at all, or rotten members of the body which feel not, neither are troubled any whit when they are hacked and lanced, wounded and torn by the tongues and teeth of dogs and swine, and therefore as David called the Ziphims strangers, because of their falsehood, (though otherwise Israelites;) so these indeed are, foreigners, unnatural, men of another household and family, although they otherwise may be (by outward profession and dwelling) neighbours and brethren.