A10933:2090
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.
Whether we speak of them that begin in unlawful trades and courses, as in whoredom, oppression, flattery, beguiling, or in any such; or in those which are lawful; as buying, selling, letting house and land, or other earthly dealings, (as may be seen in the unjust Steward, what evil practises are 1used in all these,) and what cunning and craft are found out and invented, to go one beyond another, otherwise then in times past, for the most part they have done; it is admirable to consider it. In all which they show plainly, that they do not to any purpose, mind nor set their hearts upon any better things, howsoever some of them will bear us in hand that they do, and that they will serve God as well as the best. And not only so, but (that which would less be thought) how long is it, before they that embrace the Gospel grow to be experienced, and well seasoned with such true and saving knowledge of holy doctrine, as whereby they abhor such dregs and doings, and attain to the finding of the Christian life to be meat and drink to them. And how few are there that do so? So that it may worthily be complained of, yea lamented with tears, if there were every where such as could do it, to see both the fewness of this latter sort, and how many there be every where swarming of the former. But of this ripeness of sin elsewhere. Yet this I add, (that which I utter with grief) even these ripe headed and nimble fellows, who grow so soon masters of their trade before they have served half a Prenticeship, shall rise up and condemn many of the better sort for their block-headed backwardness in matter of religion and Christianity, after so long training up in Gods school. This age should be ripest in grace and skill how to pass the time most fruitfully and joyfully: and never age had such dullards and dunces in searching into themselves, and trying whether they be in the state of salvation or no, and in seeking acquaintance with God, considering that it hath the helps of all former examples, and present means to this purpose, greater then ever age had since the Apostles time. If it be, who shall domineer over others, and set up himself, who shall cog and cozen, or go beyond his neighbour to deceive him, and who hath more strings to his bow to shift, scrape, and rake pelf together howsoever;
Whether we speake of them that begin in vnlawfull trades and courses, as in whoredome, oppression, flattery, beguiling, or in any such; or in those which are lawfull; as buying, selling, letting house and land, or other earthly dealings, (as may bee seene in the vniust Steward, what euill practises are