A10933:650
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.
For who is able to reckon up how many ways God hath to visit, astonish, and terrify men for their sin? Therefore among other punishments in Deuteronomy threatened, this is one, a trembling heart, a sorrowful mind, 1and fear both day and night. And if the Lord should not handle some thus, other would not be afraid, but would abuse his Majesty, yea and faithful people also much more grossly would tempt God, then now they dare do, though even now many do it too boldly, when they forget themselves. But Hypocrites go very far in sinning boldly, as other do who are like them; therefore many are appalled among us, some having their wit and reason taken from them; some become foolish, some mad men; other ⟨p. 242⟩2against nature, laying violent hands upon themselves; their several sins do (though no reason of man seeth it) do (I say) drive them to it. This is another fruit to be joined to the former, which sin bringeth forth. True it is indeed, the Lord dealeth not thus in kind with all sinners: nay we see how impudent and brazen faced most be in their lewd courses, and set up their bustles against the ordinance of God. But though their foreheads be of brass, yet their hearts be glassy, their consciences (if they would yield) are as water poured forth: they have not the true Lion like courage and boldness which in their jollity they would have all think that they have, but sin hath enfeebled them, they cannot abide the force and sting of their conscience, but fall down coward-like, when it smiteth them: neither can their sin abide the hand of God, which as it is ever ready to be reached forth against them; so when it is so indeed, they are soon dismayed, as Nabal was, when he heard he should dye. True it is, they set a good face upon the matter openly, bragging and bracing, as I have said: but when their conscience and they go to it hand to hand (as it doth but seldom) then in their necessity it is with them, as if an armed man were upon them; their white livered hearts do utterly fail them.
For who is able to reckon vp how many waies God hath to visit, astonish, and terrifie men for their sinne? Therefore among other punishments in Deuteronomy threatened, this is one, a trembling heart, a sorrowfull mind, 1