A10933:1773
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.
In that it is said in this verse, that the Angel having done that which he 1came for to them, departed, and was no more seen of them, it teacheth us the same, to wit, that when we have met together before the Lord to serve him, as for example, in the public use of prayer, word, and Sacraments, and have religiously ended these duties; then we should depart, every one to his place, considering how many and great inconveniences do follow idle and needless tarrying behind, and loiterings: whereby we do not only forget such good instructions as we have heard (whereas while they ⟨p. 646⟩2be fresh in our remembrance, we might in our returning, either meditate on them, or revive the memory of them by good company, but also fall to drinking, playing, prating, and such like behaviour, as whereby we do much more hurt to our selves and others, then we got good by our hearing. The devil hath more strings to his bow then one: and therefore if he cannot draw men to neglect the means altogether, he will busy their heads with wandering, or oppress their bodies with sleep: but where neither of these prevail, yet sometimes he windeth in with them so by other deludings of them, that he depriveth them of all fruit which they seemed to have got, and that as easily as they may be brought asleep: and not least of all, by occasioning forgetfulness of that they hear, by needless company afterward, or some other improvidence. And while men are yet hot and glowing through the power of the word, he doth cast cold water upon their affections, and quencheth the spirit, which had kindled good desires in them before. And yet few are so wise as to suspect the danger, but think themselves safe enough, and well fenced from the devil, they having so lately been taken up in holy duties, as in hearing and prayer, and so are easily beguiled by him, that doggeth them, though invisibly, from the Church, as well as to the Church, and in it. And this I speak not only of the common abuse of the Sabbath, (which of Christians ought to be abhorred) but even of other meetings occasioned besides, and not avoided.
In that it is said in this verse, that the Angell hauing done that which he 1came for to them, departed, and was no more seene of them, it teacheth vs the same, to wit, that when we haue met together before the Lord to serue him, as for example, in the publike vse of prayer, word, and Sacraments, and haue religiously ended these duties; then wee should depart, euery one to his place, considering how many and great inconueniencies doe follow idle and needlesse tarrying behinde, and loyterings: whereby we doe not onely forget such good instructions as we haue heard (whereas while they