A10933:328
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.
Sermon 13 › Chapter 2 › Part 2: The second part of the Chapter.
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.
Now while the holy Ghost speaketh of the people, how they followed 1the Lord all the days of Joshua, and the godly elders; he stayeth a while about them, giving them this testimony, that they had seen the works of God which he had done among them: meaning that they had not barely looked 2upon them but observed, and (as Mary did the words of the Angel) had laid 3them up in their hearts to consider them. For what profited it then otherwise to see them? For there is no doubt, but that there were many more alive at that time, who had seen the miracles and great works which the Lord had wrought in placing them in Canaan; but they were not worth the naming, seeing they had not also made use of them; but these had seen them in another manner, so that they acknowledged the Lords power and goodness toward them thereby; declaring that to be the cause of their constant serving of God, and cleaning to him, even because they had seen them. And it is no less (doubtless) then a great cause of the godliness of them that have any in them; namely, that they are such as have seen and weighed Gods wonderful acts, as his mercy and gracious working by the power of the Gospel in themselves or other; as also for that they have had proof of his mighty upholding of them in a good course against all adversary power of the prince of darkness, and his band. In like manner this hath heartened them to duty not a little, for that as they have seen it always to go well with them while they feared the Lord, and departed from evil; so they ••ue seen the heavy hand of God to have been against others, that ⟨p. 114⟩4have perverted their ways, & followed a bad course; so that although they have prospered here for a season, yet when God in his due time hath blown upon their visored felicity, they have wanzed away in his displeasure. This Solomon commendeth to us in his example, who professeth that it 5was his practise to behold and consider all things (not impertinent matters as a busy body, but profitable) and especially the courses and issues of the righteous and wicked. By which means he attained to great experience and wisdom, both to guide himself and others. Even as his father David did also; saying, that he was made wiser then the ancient, because he considered such things. But this meditating of Gods wonderful works;