A10933:205
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.
Sermon 7 › Chapter 1 › Part 2: The second part of the Chapter.
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 while I am minding this matter of dealing kindly and mercifully with the afflicted, it cometh to my remembrance, among many other things justly to be wailed, how lamentable the estate of malefactors is in some places at least in this land: as they are miserable throughout their whole life, so especially at their death they are most of all, seeing that, after they be condemned, that they go to execution without any means to bring them to conscience of their wicked lives, fear of the judgement to come, and to some knowledge and hope of eternal life: whereas, if it pleased those which are in authority, some fit Minister of God might be appointed to take them in hand after they be adjudged to die. I will not say what ⟨p. 64⟩good might be done to the poor prisoners thereby. But for mine own part, when I was young, and able to travel, I did that duty myself ofttimes in compassion of their misery, and saw blessing on my labours; and the word which I preached to them, in that little time which they had to prepare themselves, I saw it (I say) to be apparently blessed of God, to my great contentment and comfort, and good hope of them. I remember well, that at sundry times, that though I was but a stranger to them, yet after that I had through Gods blessing brought them to see their damnable and miserable estate by means of their sin, and had showed them, that even then they were nearest mercy, I was received of them with great liking, especially after they had tasted of the glad tidings of the Gospel to quiet and comfort their heavy hearts. Yea, I may truly say, as I did clearly see, I was to them more then their own father could have been unto them, for the message brought unto them.
But while I am minding this matter of dealing kindly and mercifully with the afflicted, it commeth to my remembrance, among many other things iustly to be wailed, how lamentable the estate of malefactors is in some places at least in this land: as they are miserable throughout their whole life, so especially at their death they are most of all, seeing that, after they be condemned, that they goe to execution without any meanes to bring them to conscience of their wicked liues, feare of the iudgement to come, and to some knowledge and hope of eternall life: whereas, if it pleased those which are in authoritie, some fit Minister of God might be appointed to take them in hand after they be adiudged to die. I will not say what ⟨p. 64⟩