A10933:240
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 to return to our selves, we are to know, that it is great boldness to follow bad examples, the damnation of such sleepeth not. Let not men be deceived, God hath all these things and such like registered and written, not with ink and paper, (for then there were hope that in time they might be worn out) but in his remembrance, which never faileth. If Paul wish that men follow not his example (so rare a pattern of piety) further then he follows Christ; what ⟨p. 78⟩shall they have to answer, who look no further then to this, that they see others do so, how odious soever their doings are? Let that serve us for doctrine concerning examples, forasmuch as they that lead and toll us on by their example, cannot help us to bear our punishment, when their own shall be intolerable to them, seeing company shall not ease the torments of the damned in hell; howsoever here they could join hand in hand to commit their sin with pleasure and consent. And let us be so far from following others in their doings, further then they follow the rule that should guide us all, that our own light may so shine before men, that they may bless God for us, and learn of us. So shall we show our selves wiser then these tribes, whose sin we have seen laid open unto us, and be well fenced against all danger by ill examples. The last verses in this chapter now follow
But to returne to our selues, we are to know, that it is great boldnesse to follow bad examples, the damnation of such sleepeth not. Let not men bee deceiued, God hath all these things and such like registred and writen, not with inke and paper, (for then there were hope that in time they might bee worne out) but in his remembrance, which neuer faileth. If Paul wish that men follow not his example (so rare a patterne of piety) further then hee followes Christ; what ⟨p. 78⟩shall they haue to answere, who looke no further then to this, that they see others doe so, how odious soeuer their doings are? Let that serue vs for doctrine concerning examples, forasmuch as they that leade and towle vs on by their example, cannot helpe vs to beare our punishment, when their own shall be intolerable to them, seeing company shall not ease the torments of the damned in hell; howsoeuer heere they could ioyne hand in hand to commit their sinne with pleasure and consent. And let vs bee so farre from following others in their doings, further then they follow the rule that should guide vs all, that our owne light may so shine before men, that they may blesse God for vs, and learne of vs. So shall wee shew our selues wiser then these tribes, whose sinne we haue seene laid open vnto vs, and bee well fenced against all danger by ill examples. The last verses in this chapter now follow