A10933:225
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.
Now I will go forward, as my purpose was, to show somewhat more particularly, how we use to decline, and break off good beginnings; even as these tribes did, who began well to execute Gods commandment for a season, in rooting out his enemies, but went not forward. And this let us see in some sort, both in our selves and also toward others. For the first, we cannot be ignorant that many of us of good hope have sometimes carefully searched into our selves, to find out such corruptions of our hearts as have 1brought our whole lives out of frame: and therein we have done God good service; and when we have found them out, as carelessness, slothfulness, unclean desires, and worldliness, &c. we have had them in the chase, 2and hunted them, with disgracing them, watching and praying heartily against 3them for a time. This also hath been another piece of good service done unto the Lord: but our not being always alike forward, but neglecting care (as through corruption and untowardness it will soon come to pass) and the use of good means, or our fervency therein. Oh how have we drooped and hanged the wing; yea and if more speedy heed hath not been taken, how near have we been brought to this bondage, to be well content to let these and such like our sins to be quiet in us, without any great pursuit, or offering of any great violence to them, till they have recovered some strength in us again, and prevailed, and begun in most unseemly manner to master us, and bring forth noisome fruit, even like themselves; as the Canaanites did grow strong and mighty against Israel, when they were not held down as God required, but suffered to live and be let alone?
Now I will goe forward, as my purpose was, to shew somewhat more particularly, how we vse to decline, and breake off good beginnings; euen as these tribes did, who began well to execute Gods commandement for a season, in rooting out his enemies, but went not forward. And this let vs see in some sort, both in our selues and also toward others. For the first, we cannot bee ignorant that many of vs of good hope haue sometimes carefully searched into our selues, to finde out such corruptions of our hearts as haue 1