A10933:1301
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 second thing to be noted in Abimelech is, that Zebul being but his Officer; is not disdained of him, but he is advised by him, to furnish himself against Gaal: and yet Zebul having familiar talk with him, he might have been like enough to have been unfaithful to Abimelech his Master: It setteth 1many of us to school to learn, who refuse better advice, and that in matters of greater weight: Nay we scorn oftentimes to be counselled, though it be for our good, in the best things: especially, by our inferiors; which folly while Naaman committed, he had done it to his own utter undoing 2both of body and soul. if he had not bethought himself, and taken better advice after, then at the first, when he received the Prophets answer in so ill part. And what lost David by hearkening to the counsel of a woman? Nay, he blessed God highly for it himself afterward. But such is the foolish 3pride of men, not only in matters of the world, but even in ghostly and heavenly, that we think it to be our utter discredit and shame to confess ourselves to be defective or unable to manage every business that pertains ⟨p. 482⟩to us, well and sufficiently. Whereas who knoweth not, that every fool can easily run himself out of breath? but he had need be a wise man that should stop his own bad course, and settle himself again in good order and frame without the help and counsel of other. Nay, do not prodigal and licentious persons more embezzle and weaken their estate, credit, health, and the good of posterity oftentimes, then ten wise men can turn their hand to restore or redress again? Such is the case of the soul endangered deeply to Satan and hell: But who (among hundreds of such) is willing to be advised in time, till thrift and stock, hope and help be quite past recovery? Indeed when all is in the bottom, yea and worse; then men ask and enquire after Thrift, Sobriety, Discretion. But oh, had it not been much better for such to have admitted counsel before, against an irrecoverable mischief? Counsel after the event is no counsel, but either lamentable pity, or bitter rebuke. It were to be wished this folly were only bound in the hearts of youthful Rehoboams, (although even they shall find it sharp enough to be taught by Mistress experience) and not as well in ancienter years: