A10933:1337
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 this sincerity is rare to find, according to that which Solomon ⟨p. 495⟩complaineth of, saying, Where shall one find a faithful man? And Paul: 1All have not faith, that is the fruit of faith, which is faithfulness and true heartednes: so it should cause us to begin with our selves, and urge our own hearts for uprightness first, and not to marvel that we find it not in others, if it be not in ourselves: as that we may be trusted upon our word, and approve our selves such as we would be taken to be. And then by our observation and experience of the good dealing that we can find in any more then in other; thereafter let us give credit unto them: and yet I mean such good dealing, as hath been learned by the preaching of the Gospel, such as is according to knowledge. And by the same uprightness and good dealings men should be led in choosing their companions in marriage, and not to hearken to every glossing tongue that can make fair and large promises, which have deceived thousands: and also in seeking of servants, or to have them (if it may be) the children of the faithful well and religiously brought up: and the same care should be had in choosing executors comeprimitters, and such as we would put in trust. To the which if it be demanded, where such shall be found, that they may be trusted in matters of importance: I answer: beside that I have said already, that every one which will ask this question, must first begin himself to practise sincerity, that so he may the better complain of the want thereof in other; this I add, that some who call for it and find it not, are worthy to go without it, although I do not hereby excuse them that are void of it, and offer the contrary evil measure. And they, who I say are worthy to go without it, when they would full gladly find it in those whom they deal with, are such as are carping, biting, 2scoffing, and accusing of them for their preciseness, who labour and endeavour to keep their consciences pure and good. Too many there are in this age, who cannot so soon perceive a man or woman to withdraw themselves from the sins of the time, and to be afraid to offend, as the common sort do, but by and by they cry out of them, that they are Precisians.
And as this sinceritie is rare to finde, according to that which Salomon