A10933:167
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.
And if the company and near acquaintance with the godly be so precious, then beware lest we forsake our fellowship, as the manner of some is, but make 1we much of such, and let our delight be, (as David said his was,) in the Saints 2that are on the earth, and in such as excel in virtue. And such as dwell among them, and have dealings with them, as neighbours that are near seated together, must needs in some sort have; let them take heed, that through commonness of living with them, they wax not weary of this blessing, as we easily are brought to be, and so we be easily alienated from them by testiness and conceits, as too many are) even by small occasions, and for very trifles; when we have yet learned, one to bear another's burden: and religion teacheth us to make especial account of, and in any wise to seek peace with them, and ensue and follow after it, though it fly from us, that by so doing, 3all may say, we be the very disciples of Christ indeed, for that we so love one another. Thus let them do good and take good mutually together every way as they can. But to whom are good people commonly daintiest? even to such as dwell a far off from them: God declaring thereby, that they who dwell by them, are blind in not discerning and seeing what such a benefit is worth, and therefore that they provoke God to give them their habitation, and to send them among such as they themselves be, that is, unquiet, and froward people, yea and worse then so, I mean profane & scorners, that they may thereby the better know what godly friendship is worth, who, if they had been wise, would have kept themselves well, while they were well, that is, in better company. I have seen in my time, some that took a pitch against 4such as feared God, and were truly religious, and in their distempered heat, and overhasty dislike and weariness of their fellowship, though they were far better then themselves, (thus are men carried of their sections rashly, wilfully, and in passion:)
And if the company and neere acquaintance with the godly be so precious, then beware lest we forsake our fellowship, as the manner of some is, but make