A10933:379
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 as people much to be lamented! they who might look for such a thing, shall be like rather to find it far otherwise, and much worse, as we see here it was with these. And in stead of growing in knowledge and grace, at least of settledness and steadfastness in their good beginnings, they shall be found revolters from the same rather; as it goeth with men now adays, and to have devised with themselves, or consulted with others about new ways and courses of life, clean contrary. Some to fall in with Papist and sectaries, other to be drawn to whoredom and uncleanness; and the greatest part into depth of worldliness, suits, uncharitable contentions, and the like: which though it be fearful to hear of, yet it is common, and easy to be found, even while good exercises of preaching and some good neighbourhood continue, and be enjoyed of them: and therefore how much more shall this be found where such good means are wanting? Oh if goodness prevail not with them, and have not the upper hand, yea if it be not loved above all other things, and in price above them, and diligence used daily in the practise of good duties, all shows of the best beginnings will soon turn to the contrary. And good reason it is, that where men profess godliness, which is the greatest riches, and hath the promises of this life 1and of the life to come, good reason (I say) that there they should not be ashamed, to seek by all means to advance and honour it, to the end that all may know the worthiness and price of it; and that it is not without reward even in this world. Which while few regard to do, they are worthily put to reproach and shame.
But as people much to bee lamented! they who might looke for such a thing, shall be like rather to finde it farre otherwise, and much worse, as wee see heere it was with these. And in stead of growing in knowledge and grace, at least of setlednesse and stedfastnesse in their good beginnings, they shall be found reuolters from the same rather; as it goeth with men now adaies, and to haue deuised with themselues, or consulted with others about new waies and courses of life, cleane contrary. Some to fall in with Papist and sectaries, other to bee drawne to whoredome and vncleannesse; and the greatest part into depth of worldlinesse, sutes, vncharitable contentions, and the like: which though it be fearefull to heare of, yet it is common, and easie to be found, euen while good exercises of preaching and some good neighbourhood continue, and bee enioyed of them: and therefore how much more shall this be found where such good meanes are wanting? Oh if goodnesse preuaile not with them, and haue not the vpper hand, yea if it be not loued aboue all other things, and in price aboue them, and diligence vsed daily in the practise of good duties, all shewes of the best beginnings will soone turne to the contrary. And good reason it is, that where men professe godlinesse, which is the greatest riches, and hath the promises of this life