A10933:267
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 and so to draw to an end, let it be counted of us a rare and singular mercy of God, to be free from great calamities, and extremities both of soul and body, as these Israelites were, who were delivered out of Egypt, and the bondage thereof. And by occasion of this which I say, this I further add, that such as live void of grievous pains and diseases, (as well as Egyptian bondage) which others, yea and those many of Gods dear children are under, as the stone, colic, gouts, ulcers, gripings, and such like; also such as be not in utter penury and want, nor yoked with unquiet, unkind and superstitious companions in marriage, nor with unmerciful land lords, and cruel overseers and governors (which do make their life 1wearisome to them, and consume all their cheerfulness and comfort, as as the moth eateth up the beauty of a garment) let all such (I say) bear their other petty and small discommodities, troubles, and visitations, patiently and contentedly, and be highly thankful for that they are delivered from far greater: yea and let them acknowledge, that if with freedom from these and the like, they hold sound peace with God, and be free from the stings of an evil conscience also, that they enjoy a piece of a paradise, though in a mean condition: and let them pity those which are in such depths of grief, that their fervent prays may move the Lord to pity them also: and let them that be free from them, resolve with themselves and endeavour to use their liberty and health to all possible good doing. And yet let this be known also, that where God layeth these great burdens upon some of his, he giveth them the greater grace to go meekly under them. And let us beware, lest through our security and negligence God may justly 2upbraid us with his benefits (as here he doth Israel) that having elbowroom and liberty to serve God in our places and callings, without any to disturb us, or hold us under, we enbondage our selves by an ill conscience, looseness, security, earthliness, and the like evils, by which our life should be as irksome as in Egypt, or Babel.
But to returne and so to draw to an end, let it be counted of vs a rare and singular mercy of God, to be free from great calamities, and extremities both of soule and body, as these Israelites were, who were deliuered out of Egypt, and the bondage thereof. And by occasion of this which I say, this I further adde, that such as liue void of grieuous paines and diseases, (as well as Egyptian bondage) which others, yea and those many of Gods deare children are vnder, as the stone, collicke, gowts, vlcers, gripings, and such like; also such as be not in vtter penury and want, nor yoked with vnquiet, vnkind and supestitious companions in marriage, nor with vnmercifull land lords, and cruell ouerseers and gouernours (which doe make their life