A10933:499
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.
And so to say the same of particulars, it is well seen, that many attempt sundry good actions commendably; as the labouring for a good Minister, and the drawing of the people to godly society and love in a town, and to have an eye to the unruly: other begin good exercises and orders in their family, and namely, prayer morning and evening; and some use good means for the well ordering, and good governing of their lives, and labour to root out particular abuses out of them, and to entertain grace and good duties, and many such like I might mention. But I cannot tell how it cometh to pass, that as if they thought these good things should last but for a while, or as though they would hold in good plight without means (wherein they show that they are not well grounded, though they did well for a season) so they go to work, and what with discouragements and crosses on the one side, and allurements and provocations on the other side, they faint and break off: whereas that should not be, till the work were brought to a good end, that so they might go forward in other duties in like manner. Neither should we look to the things past, what good we have done more then other, to become less careful thereby in going forward; 1but what remaineth yet to be done till we have brought our good attempts to pass; and one good duty should follow after another, until we have finished our course with joy. We must remember that the Merchant ⟨p. 183⟩went and bought the pearl when he had found it: and the wise Virgins 2kept oil in their lamps. And here it were to good purpose to think of Ehud's unwearied care and labour, till he had brought all to a good end, and of such other as did the like; and to consider with our selves (as he and such did) how all that hath been done of us in such cases, should be but in vain; and beside, great danger and detriment must needs come upon us, if we should (as too many do) break off in the mid way. Oh what do men lose hereby: even beside all their labour, the fruit of it also. But of this we have occasion to speak often elsewhere.
And so to say the same of particulars, it is well seene, that many attempt sundry good actions commendably; as the labouring for a good Minister, and the drawing of the people to godly society and loue in a towne, and to haue an eye to the vnruly: other begin good exercises and orders in their family, and namely, prayer morning and euening; and some vse good meanes for the well ordering, and good gouerning of their liues, and labour to roote out particular abuses out of them, and to entertaine grace and good duties, and many such like I might mention. But I cannot tell how it commeth to passe, that as if they thought these good things should last but for a while, or as though they would hold in good plight without meanes (wherin they shew that they are not well grounded, though they did well for a season) so they goe to worke, and what with discouragements and crosses on the one side, and allurements and prouocations on the other side, they faint and breake off: whereas that should not bee, till the worke were brought to a good end, that so they might goe forward in other duties in like manner. Neither should wee looke to the things past, what good wee haue done more then other, to become lesse carefull thereby in going forward;