A10933:889
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.
Now further by Joash his answer, let us consider some thing, and then by the people, as occasion is offered. In him by the speeches he used, note we 1the properties of a worthy magistrate, to wit, to defend Gods true worship, and to cast down idolatry, to oppose himself against the seditious and cavillers, and other wicked men, even unto death. His countenance, courage and power, beside his affection, ought to be manifested in Magistrates, for the defence and stablishing of all Gods service; and so should it be also in meaner men. But the commonness of evil, and the strength that it hath got in all places, dulleth the edge of the most of these now a days. And this slackness 2and coldness, in Magistrates is as truly the cause why iniquity so aboundeth, as any other: so that if evil having the upper hand do cause both public officers of justice, and private persons to be more unable to resist it, and so the more unwilling to go about to punish it, they may thank themselves. David professeth of himself, that betimes he would cut off from the 3house of God, the wicked: that is, all scorners and maligners of the sound worship and worshippers of God. Oh it were to be wished (& indeed in that we ⟨p. 334⟩pray no more earnestly for such, we justly complain) that all governors were of David his mind, that so the rest might live under their authority, an honest and quiet life, free from the noisomeness of such goats as by their horns and stench pester the sheep, which would fain live peaceably, and serve the Lord by them. For when the common sort see swearing, blasphemy, the contempt of the Sabbath, drunkenness, and other abominations to swarm in many places, who seeth not that both they dare more boldly do the same, and that they who will not, shall be scorned and grieved to see them?
Now further by Ioash his answer, let vs consider some thing, and then by the people, as occasion is offered. In him by the speeches he vsed, note we 1the properties of a worthie magistrate, to wit, to defend Gods true worship, and to cast downe idolatrie, to oppose himselfe against the seditious and cauillers, and other wicked men, euen vnto death. His countenance, courage and power, beside his affection, ought to be manifested in Magistrates, for the defence and stablishing of all Gods seruice; and so should it be also in meaner men. But the commonnesse of euil, and the strength that it hath got in al places, dulleth the edge of the most of these now a daies. And this slacknesse