A10933:869
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.
And he who commandeth us not to sow among thorns nor weeds, gives us no liberty to neglect planting, when we have rooted up the other.
And he who commandeth vs not to sow among thornes nor weedes, giues vs no libertie to neglect planting, when we haue rooted vp the other.
For cutting down the groves, it was before this time (that Gideon was 1charged to do it) commanded so by God in Deuteronomy; which argueth, that they were greatly abused, as other ways, so in worshipping strange Gods there. True it is, that the old fathers did before the forbidding thereof, worship God upon high hills, from whence, they seeing far off, the variety of Gods creatures, it was a means of good meditations to them, and of more sequestring of their minds from earthliness. And we our selves being on high places, and beholding the trees, and other creatures of God a far off, with the situation of the countries on hills and valleys, what an admiration at the infinite works of God cometh into our minds, thereby? we are brought to heavenly meditations, and to ponder Gods power, wisdom and love to us. The Idolaters (no doubt) chose those places for the pleasantness of them, that thereby, and with the delight they had in the worshipping of their idols, they might be ravished in their superstitious manner, as the Papists in their false and will worship, when they be at their fond devotion, in the places beset with Crucifixes and other Images, sounds and sonnets, do imagine and dream that they be in a corner not of paradise, but of heaven itself. Thus can the devil transform himself into an Angel of 2light.
For cutting downe the groues, it was before this time (that Gedeon was 1charged to do it) commanded so by God in Deuteronomy; which argueth, that they were greatly abused, as other waies, so in worshipping strange Gods there. True it is, that the old fathers did before the forbidding thereof, worship God vpon high hils, from whence, they seeing farre off, the varietie of Gods creatures, it was a meanes of good meditations to them, and of more sequestring of their minds from earthlinesse. And we our selues being on high places, and beholding the trees, and other creatures of God a farre off, with the situation of the countries on hilles and vallies, what an admiration at the infinite workes of God commeth into our minds, thereby? we are brought to heauenly meditations, and to ponder Gods power, wisdome and loue to vs. The Idolaters (no doubt) chose those places for the pleasantnesse of them, that thereby, and with the delight they had in the worshipping of their idols, they might be rauished in their superstitious maner, as the Papists in their false and will worship, when they be at their fond deuotion, in the places beset with Crucifixes and other Images, sounds and sonnes, doe imagine and dreame that they bee in a corner not of paradise, but of heauen itselfe. Thus can the diuell transforme himselfe into an Angell of