A10933:1344
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.
But let us go forward: The unweariednes also of this cursed Abimelech ⟨p. 498⟩in his business is to be marked, how from one thing to another he toileth himself: yea and that not without peril of his life. A base work, one would think to go up to the mountain, cut down boughs from the trees, and bring them on his neck, and set them to the hold to burn it. But good enough for him, and thus will men toil and endanger themselves for their pleasure and profit in most base manner, though it come to nothing, but that they soon lose all, as he did. So do all sorts of men for a poor living, which yet they oft fail of notwithstanding. Whereas in the mean while, godliness, which is the great riches, lieth dead by them, and 1by no persuasions can they be brought to seek after that with the least delighting therein, whilst yet God alloweth them time and travel enough for things meet and necessary. For example, how duly come they to Sermons and to the Lords Supper? though they might reap no small benefit thereby: and so do they accordingly sit weary and sleepy at the preaching of the word, when they be there. And yet the most part of men (these two actions with prayer being excepted) show not so much resemblance of religion in their whole life beside. But oh, that even Gods faithful servants did not grow (many of them) to the like point, showing much unto wardnesse at the Word and Sacrament, when yet they have approached to both, with great reverence and cheerfulness in former times. If men be asked, how they can endure such toil and pains as they take for the world, while they be so cold in duties to heaven ward, their answer is: Man is borne to labour; and the world is hard. If we labour not, we shall neither have food nor raiment. This makes them (as the Psalmist saith) to rise early, sit up late, fare full hardly, and all for a poor living. Ah poor souls, and what when they have got it, (not to speak of this, how many ways they offend God in getting it, and yet they are oft times disappointed of that which they seek: either by their lewd spending it, or Gods curse upon it:) but I say, What when they have it? Do ye not see, that at the solemn day of death, when they count all their great gains, and fruit of their labour, that their soul is yet unprovided for?
But let vs goe forward: The vnweariednes also of this cursed Abimelech ⟨p. 498⟩