A10933:235
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.
So is it said by our Saviour, as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of man, and (as he saith) in the latter age, whereof this in which we live is a part, they did then eat and drink, marry, and give in marriage, (these were things what they did then most mind and set their hearts on, and knew nothing of any danger) till the flood came and took them all away. And what do men now, or have done in our remembrance in the former days, but even so, and the same things? What pleasure have men, save in eating and drinking, and following after their delights? and as the tribes did, for their ease and pleasure commit sin, every one his own way: so what do men, but every one that which doth best serve his own turn. What effectual and saving knowledge of God is there to be found, save only here and therein a few persons? and generally the Gospel is a mystery, 1and the pearl in it is hidden from one, as from another, though it be hidden from none but from them that shall perish. What excessive and unsatiable seeking 2after the worlds good is there, as in other ages? what bold profaning of the Lords Sabbaths, when yet he hath plainly charged us the contrary, saying: Remember ye keep them holy? And what should I further set down other agreements betwixt men in their lives and practise, whether we compare our days with the former, or in the same days one man with another? And yet one would think that the examples of former times should teach the latter wisdom. That seeing they who now live may behold, how they have been taken away, and that oft times in the middest of their delights, and could keep themselves from death no more then others; therefore it ought worthily to cause them to look further, and to prepare a better, and a more enduring inheritance against they must go hence. But to grow to an end; seeing it is so that the world is like itself, and the sins of it have entertainment alike for the most part, with one as with another, I will show the cause of it why it is so, and teach the use of it before I end. (For besides the devils malice, who ruleth alike in the hearts of the children of darkness, & draweth them to the same evils, in the most places) besides this, I say, all men are corrupted in their harts, imaginations, and desires: 3they all love evil, and loath that which I good.