A10933:1408
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.
To hear some men in their good pangs, either when some great blessing befalls them, or when they are held under by some great affliction, (as by the fear of death) and kept upon the rack, or when they have heard some powerful Sermon which hath searched them to the quick, or when they behold the great works of Gods power, as thunder, lightning, winds and tempest by sea or land, or when they see Gods hand upon other men, or to be heavy upon themselves any other way: upon such occasions (I say) to hear the speeches, and see the behaviours of some men, 1what words of thanksgiving, of trembling, of admiration, nay, what confessions and prayers break from them, with earnest covenants and vows of repentance; I say to hear these things at such times, would make a simple hearted Christian cry out as amazed, and not fear, boldly to affirm, God be glorified; doubtless these persons are throughly changed, and truly penitent, and God is in them of a truth, surely Saul is become a Prophet of God: and thus in their simplicity do many judge of such, by occasion of that which they see in them: and who, except they be well experienced, should not say the like in that case, and cursed are they that deceive such: yet thus they speak of them, till they are afterward as much astonished to see the contrary in them. Thus we see, they deceive men, whereas the Lord, as we may see in this example, will not, nor cannot be so easily deluded by them, neither will so soon be satisfied with these their speeches: but still waiteth for the truth and uprightness of such as utter them, and gives no credulous ear unto them, but doth more then suspect them, for he calls them to further proof of their soundness and affection towards him, and expostulateth with them, for that he finds it not so with them. Saul (as 2I said, fearing his kingdom) confessed the sin which was laid to his charge, 1. Sam. 15. But the Lord professed (for all that) he had rejected him, chap. 16. 3So the people in Deuteronomy being in fear, and strongly possessed thereof, 4in all hast, protested they would obey the Lord in all things which Moses should tell them from the mouth of God: But the Lord smelt them and found them out presently: for thus he saith to Moses, This people saith well, all that they have said: but I will not take their word, and why?