A10933:261
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.
Common blessings and general we think and say, belong to others as well as to us; and as for special and private, while we reap and feel them, we say, [Blessed be God] but we are not for the most part, knit to him in duty ever the more. The ten lepers being 1cleansed, returned not to give thanks, save one. And he to whom ten thousand talents were remitted, shows this fruit of his thankfulness, that he caught his fellow by the throat who owed him an hundred pence, bidding 2him pay that he owed. And why this? For the heart of man naturally is puffed up with prosperity, and vain estimation of himself, and he prideth in that which will be his overthrow and waxeth hardened, and is so far off from humility, and mean thinking of himself, that all may perceive (who can rightly judge) that it maketh him prouder, and more scornful, yea utterly unlike him he should be, and disguised: and yet to become great and get much in this vale of misery, while things of greatest price are not asked after, how eagerly do men run after it, as fish follow the bait with greediness: nay they laugh all such to scorn that find fault with them for so doing, and who do not follow them in that excess, and let better things pass by them as little worth? yea and yet this do they, who lawfully come by wealth and promotion, and to whom the Lord giveth prosperity without any indirect or unlawful means: even such (I say) do offend in the like manner of excess and greediness, and fall into the same danger thereby that the others do, who attain to it by shifting, and against conscience. What then, some (perhaps) will say, it is lawful for us to enjoy the earthly 3benefits of God? And again, are there none that rightly use prosperity and plenty? I answer, God forbid; for men may, and some do much more good thereby to others especially, then under the cross, and in adversity. 4But this is rare: for a contrary mischief rather in prosperity befalleth men, and that is, that (for the most part) they suspect not, neither fear any danger: 5no not when they grossly forget themselves, and abuse their prosperity, when yet it hangeth over their heads, and is most hardly avoided. Moreover, neither