A10933:1426
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.
Thirdly, these words note out this, That it is wisdom for a man to bestow his chief cost there, whence he looks for best recompense, and acknowledgement ⟨p. 526⟩in the time of most need. The steward in his kind, is commended for this policy: who would show courtesy to such as he knew in a 1day of hardness and want, would be readiest to remember it with thanks and requital. The contrary folly the Apostle to the Romans taxeth; what fruit had ye of those things whereof ye are now ashamed? A man is not ashamed of that labour which hath brought him in plentiful gain; but of that which answers not his cost and hope. Men that have run themselves 2out of breath all their life, groping after a blind happiness, in their unprofitable, superstitious, profane course; at length seeing themselves deceived, wish they had served a Master who might have saved them and received them into everlasting habitations: But he answers them, bidding them go, see, if their money will save them (their god) or their lusts (their masters): as for me, I had none of their service, neither shall they have any wages from me. Thus the Lord is fain to upbraid men (though not by word, saying: Go to your Idols, yet in effect, in that he leaveth them shiftless) or else who should persuade one of an hundred, that he soweth among thorns, or loseth his labour and cost, when he casteth it, and himself away upon one Idol (a broken staff) or other? And the truth is, such a bewitching nature these Idols are of, (not Popish only, but spiritual also, set up in the love of the heart) that they possess their servants with an opinion of fruit, which is to be obtained, (if they could hit upon it) till at length with other like themselves, when time and strength, thrift and cost is all spent and wasted, they cry out miserably, (like thieves at gallows) they were deceived: leaving an example for others (if they be wise) to profit by; as for themselves, neither rule nor example could do them good, as woeful experience witnesseth in too many other.
Thirdly, these words note out this, That it is wisedome for a man to bestow his chiefe cost there, whence hee lookes for best recompence, and acknowledgement ⟨p. 526⟩