A10933:901
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.
In the public worship of God, the Church hath given a better example, that we do our duties to God before we refresh ourselves. Abraham's servant having but a message of his masters to do, did so diligently follow the doing and executing of it, that he would not take his own necessary repast, 1in his hunger and weariness, till he had faithfully discharged that business. And Jehoshaphat being nearly driven by the Moabites and Ammonites, did first seek the Lord by fasting and prayer, before he would take weapon in hand. And let all mark what he lost thereby, or whether he could possibly have found the like help and so present as he did, by all speedy following his business, by all policy and power that he could have made. And yet I add this, because I would lay no burden needlessly on the conscience of any man, that in necessity, which cannot be avoided, a man may omit the greater duty for the less, if it could not else be done at all, and so as opportunity be watched and taken to do it afterwards. To conclude about this matter, let this practise of Gideon teach us this rule, to wit, to give the precedency alway to those duties which are of best price, and withal of greatest necessity. Now I call that necessity, which not only is commanded, but absolutely and always, so that it is sin to neglect and omit it; as to watch, believe, repent, &c. they may not be left of, and laid aside for any cause. So to hear the word in season and out of season, is commanded, as also to do our earthly business on the six days: yet to omit both, at some time is no sin, because they be commanded but for some time to be done, & may in some cases and at other times be dispensed with & omitted but the other are ever necessary; as to be humbled for sin, to believe in God, also to love and fear God, and to be patient, & some other, with the like duties of the first Commandments. Now these are absolute duties, and charged upon us generally and always: no business may be preferred before these whatsoever: no delay is to be admitted, no though it be under colour of most serious returning thereto afterward: For where we take liberty to our selves in these cases, God curseth us, Satan gets ground of us, and the work for the which we lay them aside, is commonly naught worth, when it is done in the best manner.
In the publike worship of God, the Church hath giuen a better example, that we doe our duties to God before we refresh ourselues. Abrahams seruant hauing but a message of his masters to doe, did so diligently follow the doing and executing of it, that hee would not take his owne necessarie repast,