A10933:44
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 1 › Chapter 1 › Part 1: The first 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 we have the meaning of these verses, it remaineth that we draw from thence such instructions as are afforded us out of them, beginning with these two former here set down: and first out of the first verse. In that this people was now constrained to look about them, and (now Joshua was dead) to do that themselves for their peace and quiet, which he 1was wont to do for them: we are taught, that when chief & special persons are taken away, who were wont to bear the burden for many other, then they who were left behind, must put forth themselves, and take the more pain, and be put to greater plunges then they were before. Oh it is a great ease, if men could consider it aright, when they have others to bear the brunt for them, while they them selves may as it were, sit in peace: while our Saviour Christ was conversant with his disciples on earth, he shielded 2them, provided for them every way, and bare off the blows from their shoulders. As when the Pharisees cavilled with them, (whereby they might easily have bin discouraged) he took their part, they being too weak, and defended them. So he said to Peter a little before his ascension: When thou 3wast young thou girdest thyself, and wentest whither thou wouldest: but when thou art old, another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldest not. When Kings govern wisely and conscionably, the people sit under their vine and 4figtree, as it was said they did, that lived in the days of Solomon, when he had about him Nathan the Prophet, Zadok the Priest, Benaiah a most worthy Counsellor, with such like. Also when people are settled under faithful and able teachers, who watch for their souls, they live (as it were) in a corner of heaven, (if they can see) who obediently sit at their feet to hear them. And so I may say of children, who have their provident and godly parents to regard their welfare, they know not what sorrow and trouble mean: for the glory of children are their fathers. And of other inferiors, while they have their good friends and governors about them, who seeth not, that they be privileged and provided for above others: but when all these fail, then beginneth the woe and sorrow of all those, whom they leave behind them: