A10933:258
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 now let this be well weighed herein, what a distraction and disquietness it hath been to them all this while, to lie bound as it were with the chains of their sins, as they have been, that they cannot help themselves; and to be so bereaved of the graces of God, as faith, hope, joy in the holy Ghost, fear of offending, and such like; that they lie dead in them, as if they had no part in them, and they having no use of them to strengthen them to 1any good doing, although they be in themselves profitable to all holy uses; whereas in the mean while, who would lose his sweet communion with God, if he be wise enough to consider what I say; though it should never be brought against them? no though it were but for an hour or a day, with the comforts belonging thereto? which yet these whom I have spoken of, when they have sinned against their knowledge, do deprive themselves of, whole months and years. And why do they thus? If they sustained all this, as from their trial from God, their patience were commendable; or if it were possible to honour him thereby, it were some commendation to them: but when it is for the having of their own will amiss, and for the enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short season, oh how lamentable is it to think? So that this wisdom shall well beseem the servants of God, to 2give all diligence to keep well, while they are well, and in no wise to have their teeth set on edge with the deceivable baits of sin, which the world ⟨p. 85⟩so greedily runneth after, forasmuch as they shall see how dear it shall cost them; and yet let them know this, that such shall not be only void of the forementioned graces, but they shall also smart through many punishments. And now if it be so hard for them to come to repentance when they have fallen, who yet before had enjoyed that gift soundly: how much further off are they, who never have part in it at all? neither are like to have; even as we see by daily experience (how fearful an estate is that to live in) unless they wait on God diligently in the ordinance of preaching to attain it.
But now let this be well weighed herein, what a distraction and disquietnesse it hath been to them all this while, to lie bound as it were with the chaines of their sins, as they haue been, that they cannot helpe themselues; and to bee so bereaued of the graces of God, as faith, hope, ioy in the holy Ghost, feare of offending, and such like; that they lie dead in them, as if they had no part in them, and they hauing no vse of them to strengthen them to