A10933:239
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.
Likewise, who would have said that well nigh the whole city of Samaria should have been drawn to receive Simon Magus his sorceries? but after that some had begun, and there was none to reprove and shame them for it, the rest fell to it, having such examples before them. And a man would wonder to see how such clear & straight charges as God hath given to men, of departing from iniquity, and of not following the multitude to do evil, should 1be so trodden under foot, and cast behind mens backs. Ministers are commanded 2as they love Christ, they should feed his sheep, and his lambs: the people, that they should give all diligence to make their calling and election 3sure: young men not boldly take their pleasure, and spend their youth licentiously: old men, that they should be patterns to the young in good life, &c. But as if God might be mocked, hell agreed withal, and as if the Scriptures that straitly urge these things, were an old wives fable, so they are regarded. For what one of many, either Minister maketh ever the more conscience of zealous and diligent preaching; or how many of the other sorts fear the commandment to depart from evil? It is enough to them that they have others to go before them in the evils which they do. For even as sheep and beasts follow the foremost rank, whithersoever it lead them, even so these like beasts do. Thus by the seed of ill example sin increaseth, and iniquity aboundeth in all places, till at length a confusion of all things follow, in offices, duties, and estates both in Church and Common-wealth. And the rather, if men see such go before them in evil as seem to have excellency in any gifts, whereby they can maintain their sins; as by wealth, learning, authority, or any such like. In which respect the sin of the tribe of Judah was the greater, in that they believed not that God would enable them to cast out the inhabitants of the valleys, seeing they had chariots of iron, and so they becoming examples to their brethren therein; and being the chiefest, though they had done commendably in expelling many other of them; therefore the rest of the tribes thought their sin more tolerable, and made the less of it, though they yet had not so good a pretence for their doings as Judah had.
Likewise, who would haue said that well nigh the whole city of Samaria should haue been drawne to receiue Simon Magus his sorceries? but after that some had begun, and there was none to reproue and shame them for it, the rest fell to it, hauing such examples before them. And a man would wonder to see how such cleare & streight charges as God hath giuen to men, of departing from iniquitie, and of not following the multitude to doe euill, should