A10933:484
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.
The two last Kings of France were thus handled, and the facts with the doers highly extolled by these that heartened them on thereto. Oh villain intolerable! whereby, as by their persecuting the Gospel, they most lively show themselves to be utter adversaries to Christ, and to be most near akin to them who commit the sin against which we should not pray, that cannot be forgiven. But to leave them whom God alloweth not to be instruments of such bloody acts and treacheries, let us return to the persons before mentioned, who lived here in pleasures of sin for a season, and were without God in the world, and soon perished miserably.
The two last Kings of France were thus handled, and the facts with the doers highly extolled by these that hartened them on thereto. Oh villaine intolerable! whereby, as by their persecuting the Gospell, they most liuely shew themselues to bee vtter aduersaries to Christ, and to bee most neare akind to them who commit the sinne against which we should not pray, that cannot bee forgiuen. But to leaue them whom God alloweth not to bee instruments of such bloody acts and trecheries, let vs returne to the persons before mentioned, who liued heere in pleasures of sinne for a season, and were without God in the world, and soone perished miserably.
These with many other mentioned in the Scriptures, and in later Chronicles (for I speak of the chief and greatest persons, seeing they do most move affection,) so highly advanced in this world, and yet so soon and suddenly spoiled and bereaved of all their honour and excellency (as I have said) and to change it with a base death, and a worse estate afterwards; do lively set before our eyes the misery of all such, as look no further, then after bravery, jollity, vain pleasure, and large possessions, which they can neither keep, when their deadly blow is given them, and when their dreadful woe cometh, so that they might be any comforts to them; nor lose and part from them (if they have any time to think thereof) without deadly dislike, and most bitter vexation. So that it may worthily warn all such as be of high degree, and much more us that are inferior persons; and therefore ought first to stoop to consider of, and provide for our end, that when we must depart hence, (which time is most uncertain) we may be prepared to die happily, and provide to be received into heavenly habitations. For we see what a pitiful and dangerous thing it is to rest upon that which we enjoy here, as wealth, pomp, young years, or any other earthly prosperity. The Lord scatters men in the imaginations of their hearts. He sweeps down their warped thoughts, as cobwebs with besom. It had been well with Eglon, and such as he was, (all that hear of him will say) if he had enjoyed nothing; and much better if he had been nothing.