A10933:260
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.
Here as in sundry other places we may see what effects the benefits of God do commonly work in men; and that is, forgetfulness of them, and unthankfulness for them, and a mean account making of them; also boldness in seeking of carnal liberty thereby (unto the which we are so readily carried, and to provoke God much more then if they had never enjoyed them; little remembering that the Lord gives them a watchword, that they should rather look in all things to be thankful. Justly therefore was this 1people here challenged for their unthankfulness. This was the cause why they were warned before, that they should take heed when they were come into the land of promise, and should there possess great and goodly cities, which they builded not, and houses full of all manner of goods, which they filled not; 2and wells which they digged not; vineyards, and Olive trees, which they planted not; and when they had eaten and should be full, they were warned (I say) that they should beware, they forgot not the Lord, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, &c. signifying unto them, that wealth and ease would go nigh to make them to 3forget Gods mercies, by which they were delivered out of their miseries. By which we see the perverseness of our depraved nature, which turns the wholesomest food into poison, as the corrupt stomach doth the daintiest meats. We abhor him who having received freely good turns, and benefits, forgetteth his benefactor when he is promoted, &c. yet it is certain that men are the worse for Gods benefits, and are more bold in sinning against him, by the abundance of his earthly and common blessings. So David confesseth, that before he was afflicted he went astray: so that his benefits 4(we see) did him not so much good as his chastisements. And so ⟨p. 86⟩Jeremiah said, that he was as an untamed calf, till God corrected him. Woeful experience teacheth, how rare the man is who may truly say otherwise? to wit, that benefits knit his heart nearly to God, before he be taught it by affliction. And yet we must know, that neither that of it own nature draweth men to love and obey God any more then his benefits; but as God worketh that grace,, of his especial favour; without which our whole life is mere disobedience, I say, further then his grace guideth us, and keepeth us within compass in both estates.