A10933:546
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.
Now it is further said here, that the children of Israel went up for judgement 1to her, I mean Debora; who by the spirit of prophecy, answered their doubts, and determined of their controversies, and declared to them the will of God; by all which, they might the better do the duties that concerned them. Where we are to consider the loving kindness of the Lord, as to them, that they might even then in their oppression by the King of Canaan, have one to answer their doubts that troubled them; so in other ages, and much more in this of ours, that he hath provided, that such as make question of any thing that troubleth them, may be answered and satisfied. If that which she did, being but one person, and a woman, was to be accounted a singular favour of God (as who can deny it?) what a mercy of God is this to us, that we have solemn and public assemblies, not in one place of the land, but in many, (and but for the sin of some persons, should have them throughout in all places) to teach the will of God, that all who are not wilful, or negligent, may learn to know the Lord, from the greatest to the least, and also the things that belong to their peace? Thus when (I say) we may privately unburden our selves of any doubtful and dangerous opinions, or trouble of conscience (as we may, God be thanked) and that many ways; oh what a privilege is it? These things ought so much the more to move us to be in admiration at the love of God the giver, because in false religion and worshipping of God, (as in the Papacy) there is no such thing to be looked for, or enjoyed: for their serving of God, is compact of fancies, dreams, and lies, the inventions of men, as a dunghill is full of filthiness and dross. And as for the relieving the conscience of any such as are distressed and disquieted, there is as much comfort ministered to them either out of Parsons Directory, or out of the Meditations of Friar Granatensis, (which yet savour most of all the rest, of any piety) as the poor traitor Judas found at the hand of the Priests, when he complaining and crying out, that he had sinned in betraying the innocent blood, answered, after the unmerciful manner of such as they were [look thou to that] as if they should have said (though they set him a work) shift for thy self: that is the comfort thou shalt have of us. But to return:
Now it is further said here, that the children of Israel went vp for iudgement 1to her, I meane Debora; who by the spirit of prophecie, answered their doubts, and determined of their controuersies, and declared to them the will of God; by all which, they might the better doe the duties that concerned them. Where we are to consider the louing kindnes of the Lord, as to them, that they might euen then in their oppression by the King of Canaan, haue one to answere their doubts that troubled them; so in other ages, and much more in this of ours, that he hath prouided, that such as make question of any thing that troubleth them, may be answered and satisfied. If that which she did, being but one person, and a woman, was to be accounted a singular fauour of God (as who can deny it?) what a mercie of God is this to vs, that we haue solemne and publike assemblies, not in one place of the land, but in many, (and but for the sinne of some persons, should haue them throughout in all places) to teach the will of God, that all who are not wilfull, or negligent, may learne to know the Lord, from the greatest to the least, and also the things that belong to their peace? Thus when (I say) we may priuatly vnburthen our selues of any doubtfull and dangerous opinions, or trouble of conscience (as wee may, God be thanked) and that many waies; oh what a priuiledge is it? These things ought so much the more to moue vs to be in admiration at the loue of God the giuer, because in false religion and worshipping of God, (as in the Papacie) there is no such thing to be looked for, or enioyed: for their seruing of God, is compact of fancies, dreames, and lies, the inuentions of men, as a dunghill is full of filthines and drosse. And as for the relieuing the conscience of any such as are distressed and disquieted, there is as much comfort ministred to them either out of Parsons Directorie, or out of the Meditations of Frier Granatensis, (which yet sauour most of all the rest, of any pietie) as the poore traytor Iudas found at the hand of the Priests, when he complaining and crying out, that he had sinned in betraying the innocent blood, answered, after the vnmercifull manner of such as they were [looke thou to that] as if they should haue said (though they set him a worke) shift for thy selfe: that is the comfort thou shalt haue of vs. But to returne: