A10933:723
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 how unlike a thing is it, for a private man or woman, who have no other outward gifts of God, to speak of, but only this, that they can read ⟨p. 271⟩the Scriptures in their own language; how unlike is it, I say, that such living among people of most profane and bad behaviour, should not be 1tainted with them, and defiled by them; as he that toucheth pitch? Nay, that they being baited, disgraced, and scorned of them, (as they are in many places) should not faint and be discouraged by them, and driven from their hope, and profession of it, but that they should walk on in the uprightness of their hearts, and innocency of their hands, so far and so long, till their light so shining, doth lighten some of these which hated them, who sat long in darkness, and cause them to embrace that conversation, to the which they had been such deadly enemies before; this (I say) is a thing to be wondered at, even as to see the lamb and the lion to feed together. And yet (God be 2blessed) so it is at this day, in some places, and so it hath bin in former times, that when mens ways have pleased the Lord, he hath caused not only their 3very enemies to be at one with them, but also their very hearts to be entirely knit to them. Yea many silly persons, so furnished with grace by God, have forced great ones to wish from their hearts, for all their wealth and power, that they were like to them.
For how vnlike a thing is it, for a priuate man or woman, who haue no other outward gifts of God, to speake of, but onely this, that they can reade ⟨p. 271⟩the Scriptures in their owne language; how vnlike is it, I say, that such liuing among people of most prophane and bad behauiour, should not bee 1tainted with them, and defiled by them; as he that toucheth pitch? Nay, that they being baited, disgraced, and scorned of them, (as they are in many places) should not faint and be discouraged by them, and driuen from their hope, and profession of it, but that they should walke on in the vprightnes of their hearts, and innocencie of their hands, so farre and so long, till their light so shining, doth lighten some of these which hated them, who sat long in darknes, and cause them to embrace that conuersation, to the which they had been such deadly enemies before; this (I say) is a thing to be wondred at, euen as to see the lambe and the lion to feede together. And yet (God bee