A10933:625
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.
WE have heard largely of thanksgiving in the former sermon with the causes, manner and necessity thereof; 1now beside the action of thanksgiving, which I have spoken of, the circumstance of time is also to be marked; that is to say, that they did it the same day: for so it is set down in the holy story: then sang Debora and Barak the same day. This teacheth us not to make delay in any good thing, but use the opportunity in due season, and so for this duty of giving thanks. And while the occasion offered of so doing is fresh and in remembrance, the mind feedeth the affection with more plentiful matter, that it may be stirred up more fervently to perform ⟨p. 231⟩that duty: whereas in time things grow stale and are forgotten; yea and that quickly: so that we had need to take the vantage against our bad memories, and blockish hearts, by such means. And although ordinarily we should perform this duty, three times a day in solemn manner; namely in the morning, evening, and at noon tide, yet otherwise beside that, as 2God shall give us occasion by more then common benefits and deliverances, we should provoke our selves hereunto; and namely, as Saint James saith, 3when one is merry or disposed to joy let him not suffer that affection to vanish, but express and utter it to God in singing praises. And so afterward we ought to continue the memory of his infinite mercies throughout our whole life, and to this end write them, (we that can) that whereas they grow to a multitude in time, and all cannot always be remembered, as were to be wished in some sort; yet at least wise, when we read them over, we may readily renew (as we shall see cause) our thanks to God for them. But great is mens blockishness, as I have said, and endless wandering by swarms of cogitations after other things, which hinder this, whereby they see not cause hereof; and when they do, yet their slothfulness is such, that they delay and defer to pay this due to God, till their appetite be gone, and afterward lets and hinderances coming in the way break it off, so that they cannot perform it. And this be said of thanks.
WE haue heard largely of thankesgiuing in the former sermon with the causes, manner and necessity thereof;