A10933:1588
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 the text giving occasion rather to urge this care upon the better sort, we may justly bewail it, how long it is ere even many a good Christian attain to that measure of competent and necessary knowledge, which might guide his course. I speak not now of exact knowledge in all points, much less of curious knowledge of things less pertinent, which yet many seek after more greedily, then they do the other; like distempered stomachs, which feed upon trash rather then good nourishment. Now what makes it so difficult a thing as it is? Sometime an invincible defect in nature: in which case I confess, a tractable and modest mind may plead an excuse from God: in others a conceit that if Christ be known in any sort, it skills ⟨p. 580⟩not whether other matters be known or no; (which is a foolish opinion and collection.) Others and the most hear badly, or add no private help of their own reading, or use of the memory by conference. Therefore as contraries be cured by contraries, so let every man seeing his disease, address himself to the cure. We see that ignorance in the law of the land, sometimes breeds a man such trouble and loss, as makes him rue it all his life long: much more then, a man would think, in the law of God. For example, many a man through ignorance (though otherwise well-minded) is drawn into bad company, and by such, enticed to lewdness, or made drunk, or snared by rash promises, bargains, suretiships. Others join with their religion, abuse of their lawful liberties, and are overtaken therein grossly, in unlawful gamings, and ill spending of the time, lasciviousness, foolish mirth, and many other blemishes. Some doubting of the lawfulness of a thing which they earnestly desire to do, entangle themselves, which (if they had knowledge) they durst not do. So it is rare, but a goodly sight, to see a man order his steppes by knowledge, and to have fellowship with the light, and the contrary (besides the other named inconveniences) much dishonoureth the profession it self of the Gospel.
But the text giuing occasion rather to vrge this care vpon the better sort, we may iustly bewaile it, how long it is ere euen many a good Christian attaine to that measure of competent and necessarie knowledge, which might guide his course. I speake not now of exact knowledge in all points, much lesse of curious knowledge of things lesse pertinent, which yet many seeke after more greedily, then they doe the other; like distempered stomackes, which feede vpon trash rather then good nourishment. Now what makes it so difficult a thing as it is? Sometime an inuincible defect in nature: in which case I confesse, a tractable and modest minde may pleade an excuse from God: in others a conceit that if Christ be knowne in any sort, it skils