A10933:1324
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.
If God had brought upon them that trouble in their innocency, he would have taught them how to bear it, whatsoever had been like to have followed: but now they run upon the swords point, and therefore both they that sought to fight with him abroad, and they that waited for to set upon him and his men in the city, are both of them destroyed. This is the best end that sin bringeth upon the committers. And thus wilfulness, stomach, and stubbornness bring many to destruction, while they who are contrary minded are in peace. So contention, whoring, drunkenness and riot, do the like in their kind: and they that seem to be safest, and freest from danger being of that sort, may look for no better fruit nor end of their evil doings, but shame, sorrow, and a miserable death, though not by enemies, as these men of Shechem found it, whether it be in their beds, or wrought by their own hands, all is one, if repentance break not off their evil course.
If God had brought vpon them that trouble in their innocencie, hee would haue taught them how to beare it, whatsoeuer had been like to haue followed: but now they runne vpon the swords point, and therefore both they that sought to fight with him abroad, and they that waited for to set vpon him and his men in the citie, are both of them destroyed. This is the best end that sinne bringeth vpon the committers. And thus wilfulnesse, stomacke, and stubbornesse bring many to destruction, while they who are contrary minded are in peace. So contention, whoring, drunkennesse and riot, doe the like in their kind: and they that seeme to bee safest, and freest from danger being of that sort, may looke for no better fruit nor end of their euill doings, but shame, sorrow, and a miserable death, though not by enemies, as these men of Shechem found it, whether it bee in their beds, or wrought by their owne hands, all is one, if repentance breake not off their euill course.
The which while Gods servants behold, and see to what a woeful end their evil doings bring many, who yet in their jollity thought themselves 1the only wise men of others, and all fools who walked in their innocency and uprightness. I say while Gods servants see this, they shall praise him highly, for that they followed a better course by Gods direction; and even now (I say) when they see Gods threats executed upon evil doers, as they were told that it should be so in the middest of their prosperity and jollity. And all that come after them, shall see good cause, and have encouragement to hold on a Christian course, and to turn neither on the right hand, nor