A10933:1343
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.
It is hard to say, what good might be done thus? and by having religion and holy instruction in high account, and loving heartily, and well esteeming of Gods people. But to this it is come, that men, and the wealthier sort especially, whereas they might bring on many to Christian practise by well doing; they have (alas) cold love to good causes, but are slow and backward, and therefore deadness and unprofitableness is to be seen thick and threefold in other that should learn of them, the devil labouring, when he cannot make all sorts alike in wickedness, to leave as few to give countenance 1to good things, as may be. And men be so unapt to learn to perform duties aright, that except they see good examples before them, they cannot tell how to set upon, or go about them. But as for evil courses, they need none to go before them therein, they can find the way thereto without guides, though they are much more fleshed and drawn on when they have other to break the ice to them. But where the best examples are given, let this be our rule, that we follow them no otherwise then as they follow Christ: and they that do so, let them persuade us to all zeal and forwardness 2in duties of the first Table, (as to the reverent receiving of the word preached, and the right manner of preparing our selves to the Lords Supper, and such like exercise) so in no wise follow we the common sort in their behaviour and practise about duties to men in the second Table.
It is hard to say, what good might be done thus? and by hauing religion and holy instruction in high account, and louing heartily, and well esteeming of Gods people. But to this it is come, that men, and the wealthier sort especially, whereas they might bring on many to Christian practise by well doing; they haue (alas) cold loue to good causes, but are slow and backward, and therefore deadnesse and vnprofitablenesse is to bee seene thicke and threefold in other that should learne of thē, the diuell labouring, when he cannot make all sorts alike in wickednesse, to leaue as few to giue countenance 1to good things, as may bee. And men bee so vnapt to learne to performe duties aright, that except they see good examples before them, they cannot tell how to set vpon, or goe about them. But as for euill courses, they need none to goe before them therein, they can find the way thereto without guides, though they are much more fleshed and drawne on when they haue other to breake the ice to them. But where the best examples are giuen, let this bee our rule, that wee follow them no otherwise then as they follow Christ: and they that doe so, let them perswade vs to al zeale and forwardnesse