A10933:765
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.
Sermon 36 › Chapter 6 › Part 2: The second part of the Chapter.
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.
And to what end speak I this, but that we should lift up our hearts, and more fervently, and oft be thankful to God for this one benefit of plenty? although who seeth not, that it is indeed but one of many, yea of infinite other, which we receive? And why doth God this? Even to the end men 1may follow their callings, diligently and conscionably, with cheerfulness; and with the same mind walk in the fear of the Lord continually. And therefore the evil example in life, that in the abundance of Gods earthly blessings doth flow every where, in drunkenness, and all lasciviousness, doth draw upon men greater plagues, then wants and famine are, and that is, leanness of soul, blindness, unbelief, hardness of heart, and impenitency: which if we had the spirit of the Prophets, we should deeply bewail. But to leave such, I add this, that for the quickening up of the best, it were fit for 2them, when they grow to a mean and common esteeming of these benefits of God, to suppose with themselves, and put the case that they were in want and penury, even in the state of this people of God by the oppression of the Midianites, or the like: As that when they have sown their seed, it should be spoiled before their faces, so that they should not eat of it, and that the provision which they have made for their lives, should be carried away by enemies, or taken from them, and they famished for want of it: it would make them better to value and prize such benefits, and yield to the Lord a more holy and fruitful use of them. Whereas commonly men do not so, till they be driven to it by wants, and decay in their substance, then they can say; Oh what plenty of Gods benefits we once enjoyed?
And to what end speake I this, but that we should lift vp our hearts, and more feruently, and oft be thankfull to God for this one benefit of plentie? although who seeth not, that it is indeed but one of many, yea of infinite other, which wee receiue? And why doth God this? Euen to the end men 1may follow their callings, diligently and conscionably, with cheerefulnes; and with the same minde walke in the feare of the Lord continually. And therefore the euill example in life, that in the abundance of Gods earthly blessings doth flow euery where, in drunkennesse, and all lasciuiousnes, doth draw vpon men greater plagues, then wants and famine are, and that is, leanenes of soule, blindnes, vnbeliefe, hardnesse of heart, and impenitencie: which if we had the spirit of the Prophets, wee should deeply bewaile. But to leaue such, I adde this, that for the quickning vp of the best, it were fit for