A10933:669
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.
The last sort that she calleth to praise God, were they that came together in the gates of their cities, where their judgement seats were appointed to be. These meetings had ceased, and had been broken off, through the prevailing of their enemies, and now by their deliverance were frequented again. What a punishment that was, and how great a calamity to the Common wealth, to have execution of law and justice left off, and laid down, tending so necessarily to the safeguard of mens estates, or to the maintaining thereof; by the cutting off of malefactors, and the doers of injury, as robbers, and such like; how great a plague that was, I say, they well know, who are not ignorant, that the whole safety (in a manner) of the Commonwealth, is maintained and upholden by such due execution of law and judgement. And for this benefit (that I may come from them to our selves) 1all that live in the Church and Common-wealth with peace and welfare, have cause to magnify Gods exceeding goodness in that one respect. For hereby they live safe and quiet in their houses, they enjoy their goods and commodities, and that which is the greatest of all other, they may the better have liberty and the benefit of true serving of God, which maketh all the rest of their liberties savoury. And this with the other particular commodities which are enjoyed of us hereby, is to be acknowledged to be great and bountiful, the rather for that such common blessings usually enjoyed, are seldom reckoned of us to be thank worthy. And among those who went out and in at the gates, we may understand all other, who either passed through, for their profit, pleasure, or for any other necessary use and cause, which liberty all may conceive how great it was, and therefore both they then, and we now who enjoy the same liberty, must hold our selves infinitely bound to praise God in this behalf.
The last sort that she calleth to praise God, were they that came together in the gates of their cities, where their iudgement seates were appointed to be. These meetings had ceased, and had been broken off, through the preuailing of their enemies, and now by their deliuerance were frequented againe. What a punishment that was, and how great a calamity to the Common wealth, to haue execution of law and iustice left off, and laid downe, tending so necessarily to the safegard of mens estates, or to the maintaining thereof; by the cutting off of malefactors, and the doers of iniurie, as robbers, and such like; how great a plague that was, I say, they well know, who are not ignorant, that the whole safetie (in a manner) of the Commonwealth, is maintained and vpholden by such due execution of law and iudgement. And for this benefit (that I may come from them to our selues)