A10933:330
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 the holy story having spoken of the works which Joshua and the 1people did in his life, maketh mention of his death, as that which followeth, when all the actions of life are ended. And therefore David, when he was departing hence, said; I go the way of all the world. As we have therefore 2heard much of the actions of our life; so let us hear some what of death, as the text giveth us leave and occasion. And in that we hear that he died the 3servant of the Lord, as he had long lived, and had done so many worthy things in his life (death and departure hence being so solemn a thing as it is) we should be much moved, not only to think upon the end of all flesh, but especially of our own death, and to prepare for it above all things, 4and to learn to die; that so we might with him, die the servants of God. Which though to a natural man it be impossible, yet the Lord maketh it tolerable, yea easy, and a welcome thing, to all such as have first learned to live well here, or at least are fit to die. For perseverance in good life, meeteth with a good death, and joyfully embraceth it: in which respect Solomon saith, that the day of death is better then the day of birth, as being the entrance 5into life. And therefore the text saith, Joshua the servant of the Lord died: noting that his death was not as the death of every common man, but a ⟨p. 115⟩blessed death, and a rest from the work of the Lord, in which he had been faithful in his life; and therefore now looking for his reward, from the Lord 6a bountiful paymaster, death was welcome to him. As it is reported of an ancient Father of the Church, that being 80. years old, and being then to bid farewell to his friends, said; Thus long have I served the Lord, and now it grieveth me not to die; for I have a good master, thereby meaning that death was far more welcome to him then life; even as that day is to a faithful servant, wherein he is to receive liberal wages for his long service, then all the days are that went before. And thus S. Paul speaketh of David, that when he had served his time, he slept: meaning that he rested from his labours