A10933:49
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.
But this is the misery of this age, nothing is to be called into question among 1us: we think we have all knowledge, and doubt of nothing, no, not in the weightiest matters: why so, I pray you? is it because we be diligent and careful to learn, and daily to search into our selves and into the word to see what is a miss, that we need no help of other? Nay, that is few mens care, the most are no such: but they chiefly are desirous to enquire further what the good will of God is toward them, who have most profited thereby already, and so ought other to do: who if they were not both careless how they lived, and so observe no want in themselves: and drowsy or wandering when they hear, it could not be, but where there is an ordinary ministry, they should grow much in settledness and sound knowledge: whereas we see, strangers who are not taught at home, but resort where sound teaching is, they I say, though they know as much as other, are more inquisitive and desirous to be answered in their doubts, then such as have the daily means at hand whereby they might be resolved. It were to be rejoiced for very much, if hearers of the Gospel did frequent the houses of Preachers, as they do Physicians to enquire of their bodily health: then there were some hope that they looked to live for ever, as they desire to live long here in bodily health, though that can be but for a very short season. But those days are gone, which yet I in my time have seen, when in the places, which I mean, both men women and servants would rise early to dispatch their business on the Lecture day, to the end they might repair thither, and inquire of God in the congregation, and would be as ready to take good privately also by questions to very good purpose, and necessary, when they might. About maintenance and bodily provision, how many questions (I pray you) are moved before one days or weeks work be brought to an end? and is any so ignorant, that he knoweth not, that he that mindeth his way to eternal life, hath many causes in the day and week, to ask of himself by secret questioning, whether all be well with him concerning his account making to God? But there are few or no doubts about ⟨p. 5⟩such matters as do greatly trouble us now a days, we run on at six and leaven as the blind man casts his staff, not looking before us, that we might be safely guided.
But this is the misery of this age, nothing is to be called into question among