A10933:654
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.
Therefore the Lord in giving charge to all by their families, that they should remember to keep holy the Sabbath; beginneth with the governor 1thereof, saying, first thou shalt do it; then he goeth forward to the son, daughter, and servant: Even so on the contrary, and much more, when the greatest persons go before the rest in ill example, we see how readily they follow. So we read, that the Priests, Levites, and guides of the 2people were the chief and first in taking to them and their sons, strange wives of the Amorites and Canaanites, against the commandment of God, and then many of the people followed them therein, when they were returned out of the captivity. Even so we might see it throughout, if I should allege many examples. And so God be thanked, in some sort we see, that where the chief men in any society, be forward in seeking knowledge, and be zealous in flying evil, and resisting it, as their places will give leave; and in following a good course, their care and labour is not in vain, but to good purpose: but where the guides of other, as their Ministers, masters of families, and chief in towns, are profane, lewd, ill company keepers, idle, gamesters, make-bates, contentious and slanderers, there ye may be sure to find them that are led by them, and that depend upon them, to be suitable. But otherwise, if they see that the wind blows against them, then they hang down the head, and are nipped in the blossom, and contain themselves. And here see a note of difference betwixt the godly and the ⟨p. 244⟩lewd. The one, with Joshua, undertaketh for himself and his, they will serve 3the Lord. The other, like those Pharisees, are not only ill disposed themselves, but do also pull back, and pluck down, with them, as many as they can, from the best orders and companies. And while men must live with such, rare is he, who (in such a case) is a law to himself, and can keep his resolution, rather to serve God alone, then to give over for want of company. But if any be better disposed then other among them, they must fetch their light from other places, for the most part, or else be in danger in the company they come into, to lose that little they have, and to be led into darkness.