A10933:150
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.
If the Gospel be soundly and diligently preached, all ought to be ready to hear it, but if magistrates themselves be forward that way, and cause others by their authority to do the same, so that they see the Gospel be had in good account, shall it not (think we) quicken even the best much more then they should otherwise be? not that these meaner encouragements should most prevail with men, but the Lords commandment; yet that shall the better do it, when these also be added, to help our weakness. But to look to these principally, while the chief is neglected, that is a thing merely preposterous, and the next way to pull down all right manner of going about our duties, what shows thereof soever men will make, and how commonly so ever the the greatest part offend this way. And yet God seeing the infirmity of his people, and their unto wardnesse to godly duties, and how hardly they are brought to the well discharging of them by his bare commandment, hath drawn them on by fit rewards, promises, and encouragements. For who doubteth, that the dear servants of God are much heartened and helped forward thereby? and yet Gods charge (as I have said) ought most to prevail with them, though hypocrites and time-servers do make their greatest account of them, other, little setting by this in the mean ⟨p. 43⟩while, till God open their eyes to repent, or till they be hardened. For what one of a thousand in any calling or condition would labour and travel even for the necessary helps to this life, by the virtue of the bare commandment [thou shalt labour] if gain and profit came not in thereby?
If the Gospell be soundly and diligently preached, all ought to be ready to heare it, but if magistrates themselues bee forward that way, and cause others by their authoritie to doe the same, so that they see the Gospel be had in good account, shall it not (thinke we) quicken euen the best much more then they should otherwise be? not that these meaner incouragemēts should most preuaile with men, but the Lords commandement; yet that shall the better doe it, when these also be added, to helpe our weakenes. But to looke to these principally, while the chiefe is neglected, that is a thing meerely preposterous, and the next way to pul downe al right maner of going about our duties, what shewes thereof soeuer men wil make, and how commonly so euer the the greatest part offend this way. And yet God seeing the infirmitie of his people, and their vnto wardnesse to godly duties, and how hardly they are brought to the well discharging of them by his bare commandement, hath drawne them on by fit rewards, promises, and incouragements. For who doubteth, that the deare seruants of God are much heartned and helped forward thereby? and yet Gods charge (as I haue said) ought most to preuaile with them, though hypocrites and time-seruers doe make their greatest account of them, other, little setting by this in the meane