A10933:238
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.
But another thing is to be noted by these tribes beside, (which I have said already, and that is, seeing they could not choose but hear one of another 1what they did) how one was led by the example of the other. For though one easily agree with another in evil (as I have said before) yet I cannot tell how it cometh to pass, that when we have example also from others of any bad course, we are much more easily riveted into it thereby. Nay this example so much prevaileth, that although we have Gods commandment never so plain to the contrary, with threats annexed thereto, we boldly break through it, and not only affect and commit the same, as in the former doctrine I said we do; but we bear it down before us as it were a stream. It could not easily have been thought that this people of Israel, one tribe after another, could (there being so many of them) have sought their own ease, in making peace with the other nations, having received ⟨p. 77⟩so strait a commandment that they should expel them: and yet they did so handle the matter among them, that it was as it were utterly forgotten among them, and they grew to be confirmed in a contrary course. But when one tribe had broke the ice to another in breaking through the commandment, it became as a matter that lay dead, few looked after it. So it would hardly have been thought, that Sapphira could have been brought to consent to the holding back of that sum of money which was consecrated to so good and holy an use; which was by making a lye, and standing stiffly in it; but when she knew her husbands mind, and had him to go before her therein, so that he made no matter to commit such a trespass, she was emboldened to do it also by his example.
But another thing is to be noted by these tribes beside, (which I haue said already, and that is, seeing they could not chuse but heare one of another 1what they did) how one was led by the example of the other. For though one easily agree with another in euill (as I haue said before) yet I cannot tell how it commeth to passe, that when wee haue example also from others of any bad course, we are much more easily riueted into it thereby. Nay this example so much preuaileth, that although wee haue Gods commandement neuer so plaine to the contrary, with threates annexed thereto, wee boldly breake through it, and not onely affect and commit the same, as in the former doctrine I said wee doe; but wee beare it downe before vs as it were a streame. It could not easily haue been thought that this people of Israel, one tribe after another, could (there being so many of them) haue sought their owne ease, in making peace with the other nations, hauing receiued