A10933:227
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.
For even as they failed in suffering the Canaanites to remain amongst them, and did not expel them; so do we suffer them who are little better then Canaanites in their behaviour and manners to abide therein, till they 1corrupt and taint them that dwell among them; as if an infection were dispersed round about to poison mens bodies. The people of Israel set themselves to seek their own quietness and ease (though they broke the commandment of God) in letting the Canaanites live still, and abide in the land. And to this point things are come in our days, that whatsoever God command to be done, and good and wholesome laws enjoin against many foul sins, yet if the executing of them require labour and any cost, and it bring any toil and trouble, and hinder mens ease and profit; behold, a Lion is in the way; they will not at all take them in hand; or if they 2have begun, they soon wax weary of the work, and give it over (never enjoying Gods promise to hearten them to the obeying of his commandments, but yielding to their own corrupt reason) so that there is little rooting out of grievous disorders and lewdness of life, in town, country, or family: as whoring, drunkenness, gaming, ill companies, and such like: and as little pursuing of the persons that disguise themselves therewith, either in Church or Common-wealth. And this was a greater fault in these tribes to let the Canaanites remain, and not expel them; because they were strong enough to have done it; and stronger by much then they on whom they should have executed Gods charge: for so it is said, verse 28. When Israel waxed strong, yet did they not expel them wholly, but only put them to tribute. So this aggravateth the sin of our time, forasmuch as 3God hath given authority into mens hands to remove such disorders, and greater gifts of knowledge and ability to overmatch such evils as he would have to be rooted out, and yet there wanteth zeal, and courage to go about it. And though things shall never be brought to that perfection that were to be wished, yet much might be done that is utterly neglected. This be said and noted out of all the verses in general, and of all the tribes mentioned therein.
For euen as they failed in suffering the Canaanites to remaine amongst them, and did not expell them; so doe wee suffer them who are little better then Canaanites in their behauiour and manners to abide therein, till they