A10933:1874
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 to enlarge and urge this matter a little further, of and about these Philistines, that as they were least hurtful when they were most busy in seeking out the meaning of the riddle, so I may truly say this of the most of bad sort, that the greatest good they do either in Church or common-wealth, or at least, the sewest evils that they commit, are when they be at their labour, and tied to the works of their calling, even as the thief is fast from doing of evil when his hands are tied behind him. For though evil persons are ill minded even at their work, and as ill occupied, if they have opportunity, seeing they are framed thereto, yet this can be nothing so much, as when oil is put to the flame: for then they are at elbow room, and much more when they be linked in company with such as be like themselves, which is as far from that which ought to be, as may be, seeing every part of a christian mans life should bring forth fruit. And it ought to be a great humbling of such when God shall open their eyes, (until which time they dream of no danger) that whereas they are commanded in all that they do, or go about, to honour the Lord, they yet shall be by manifold witnesses brought against them, convinced of the contrary. For whether they fast or feast, labour or be idle, whether they be alone, or in company, or whatsoever they do, yea even when they worship God in the congregation, their hearts are lusting after some evil, and far from goodness. Therefore happy are those servants, who when the Lord cometh may be found occupying their talent, so as they may be able to say, they have been neither idle nor unprofitable in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus willingly and with good advisedness, but since they were taken into his service have showed themselves faithful & diligent: (alway except infirmity) and yet even then they are also occupied, namely in resisting the same.
And to inlarge and vrge this matter a little further, of and about these Philistims, that as they were least hurtfull when they were most busie in seeking out the meaning of the riddle, so I may truly say this of the most of bad sort, that the greatest good they doe either in Church or common-wealth, or at least, the sewest euils that they commit, are when they be at their labour, and tyed to the works of their calling, euen as the theefe is fast from doing of euill when his hands are tyed behind him. For though euill persons are ill minded euen at their worke, and as ill occupied, if they haue opportunitie, seeing they are framed thereto, yet this can be nothing so much, as when oyle is put to the flame: for then they are at elbow roome, and much more when they be lincked in company with such as be like themselues, which is as far from that which ought to be, as may be, seeing euery part of a christian mans life should bring forth fruit. And it ought to be a great humbling of such when God shall open their eyes, (vntill which time they dreame of no danger) that whereas they are commanded in all that they doe, or goe about, to honour the Lord, they yet shall be by manifold witnesses brought against them, conuinced of the contrary. For whether they fast or feast, labour or be idle, whether they be alone, or in company, or whatsoeuer they doe, yea euen when they worship God in the congregation, their hearts are lusting after some euill, and far from goodnes. Therefore happy are those seruants, who when the Lord commeth may be found occupying their talent, so as they may be able to say, they haue been neither idle nor vnprofitable in the knowledge of the Lord Iesus willingly and with good aduisednes, but since they were taken into his seruice haue shewed themselues faithful & diligent: (alway except infirmitie) and yet euen then they are also occupied, namely in resisting the same.