A10933:312
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.
Which thing is most needful for us to mark for our great benefit: For even so he dealeth at this day, as he did in former times, and with that people. 1So he dealt with our first parents after their fall: for though they repented, and were received again into favour, yet the evils and discommodities which they brought upon themselves and mankind, did not the Lord take away; neither was that quiet and sweet abode of theirs in Paradise, enjoyed of them at any time after. So Sampson lost the gift of his bodily strength for a time, after he had so greatly displeased God; which I might say of many other, to wit, that they lost the use of such graces as before they enjoyed. And so doubtless, such as after a commendable profession of the Gospel, when they had before been truly converted to God by faith and repentance, did fall again to their old sins, or to drowsiness and coldness in his service; such, I say, have found and received the like measure at his hands, as most clear experience hath been hereof in this late deceased generation, and in some who still remain of them; whose first zeal and love which they had at their first receiving the Gospel, being after slaked, hath never after been as it was, recovered. For though they have seen their falls, and repented, and obtained mercy, yet the Lord hath left a mark of 2that their sin behind, both to minister and people, so that they have rarely recovered their former zeal, the one in fervent preaching, and care taking over the people, the other in cheerful profession, uprightness of heart, and holy walking; but have limped in some sort afterwards, and they do come short of the grace they had before; the which the Lord hath suffered to put them in remembrance of that their sin; even as a man having fallen from an high beam or tree, and broken his bones, though he get 3them set together again, so that they may serve the turn in some sort, yet he never feels them perfectly cured, but ever painful and lame afterward, or much impaired.
Which thing is most needfull for vs to marke for our great benefit: For euen so he dealeth at this day, as he did in former times, and with that people. 1So hee dealt with our first parents after their fall: for though they repented, and were receiued againe into fauour, yet the euils and discommodities which they brought vpon themselues and mankind, did not the Lord take away; neither was that quiet and sweet abode of theirs in Paradise, enioyed of them at any time after. So Sampson lost the gift of his bodily strength for a time, after hee had so greatly displeased God; which I might say of many other, to wit, that they lost the vse of such graces as before they enioyed. And so doubtlesse, such as after a commendable profession of the Gospell, when they had before been truly conuerted to God by faith and repentance, did fall againe to their old sinnes, or to drowsinesse and coldnes in his seruice; such, I say, haue found and receiued the like measure at his hands, as most cleare experience hath been hereof in this late deceased generation, and in some who still remaine of them; whose first zeale and loue which they had at their first receiuing the Gospell, being after slaked, hath neuer after been as it was, recouered. For though they haue seene their falles, and repented, and obtained mercy, yet the Lord hath left a marke of