A10933:833
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.
This hospitality was used of the godly to strangers, according to the commandment 1of God in the Epistle to the Hebrews, which is this; Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. For they are sad in heart, and when they are regarded in strange places with kind and hearty welcome, as being commended thither by the Church of God, as it is meet they should, (for how else can they be known for such) it is a worthy fruit of love in them that receive them, and it maketh glad the hearts of the other, who are received of them. Much more (then) ought such kindness to be showed to the faithful, that are known to us, and are in wants. And they that shut up their compassion from such, (when the profane will be too forward that way, to their companions, yea to their dogs) how dwelleth (as the Apostle speaketh) the love of God in them? Not that hereby I approve of their rashness, 2who to avoid uncharitableness and unmercifulness, put no difference between such as they harbour, or relieve, which the Apostle precisely warneth us of, in the Galath. 6. 10. that we aim especially at them that be of the 3same household and body, whom it most concerns us to look to, having charge of such poor given us by Christ. Such as observe not this, light upon good persons by haphazard, as we say, and for the most part do cast away their bread upon the waters. For many glossing hypocrites, with counterfeit faces and letters of testimony, with some pretence of honesty, do abuse good people, who repent them often of their forwardness in receiving such rangers and locusts, both Ministers and others. For besides their gifts, they have drawn them by cunning flattery, to lend them money, or show them other courtesy answerable, and yet as deceivers, have left them in the lurch; to teach them wisdom against afterwards. The like may be said of rash Suretiships, Commendatory Letters, and the like to such, as of whom we have no pledge, to use Solomons phrase. Let Christians learn wisdom by this, and not under colour of pity become a prey to such hypocrites, as make benefit to themselves of that their ranging course, and will be ready to recompense them with nought but derision and scorn for their simplicity. Though, I confess, it is the safer extreme of the two, and the nearer to charity, to be credulous, then too suspicious of them, as being unknown and strangers.