A10933:54
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.
So that it is certain, that every child of God, that maketh his moan, and thus poureth out his complaint to him, shall be heard, which should not a little whet us on, and animate us to draw near to God: we having so sure a word of promise, that he will draw near to us. For in seeking to a mortal man 1in our distress, though he be little above us, we know how readily & cheerfully we go about it, when we are persuaded of a good answer, and when we doubt not of his kind and loving affection toward us: and on the contrary, how hardly we are drawn to sue to one, that is alienated from us. And seeing the care thus standeth betwixt God and us, that the oftener we come to him, the more welcome we are, (for this is as true as the former speech) seeing such are most inward with him, and beloved of him, as Abraham, Moses and David, who of others repaired oftest to him, and received most of him; I say, seeing it is thus betwixt God and us, how lamentable is it, and to be bewailed, that this is not more common for men to repair to God? who if they could mark it, may easily perceive, that while they neglect to do so, they increase their trouble, and get nothing. But seeing I am entered upon this matter, I think it not amiss, to show, how three sorts offend about this. The common sort wholly neglect and omit prayer altogether: the first thinking that though they pray not, they shall speed as well, and have as good luck (for so they term it (as others shall: boldly affirming, that they see no good come of it, they: and yet in their distress they think they should pray: but then they having neither will nor skill thereto, in stead thereof, do curse and rage for that they are not helped and delivered: though some of them do utter words in their passion, the Lord hears them not, as we read, Pro. 1. 2For it is all one as if they uttered none. And though they cannot pray to God, yet they make their complaints, and moan to every man that they have acquaintance with, and that will hear them. And for them to break their minds to them that cannot help them, when yet they would so gladly find help, and to pass by him in whom there is present and sure help to be found, what folly? nay, what madness is it? for (to say the truth) God is not sought unto in any sort of such, no, not when all other shifts fail: (as I have said.)