A10933:934
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.
Even as we see, mean and beggarly persons, that never knew what belonged to wealth or dignity, yet if they be raised unto it, cannot bear it, nay the ground cannot bear them: if they be set on horseback, they ride out of reason, even till they break their own necks: whereas ingenuous and well-bred natures can aswell carry themselves in such a condition, (especially if education and grace meet together) as the poorest can in a base and simple. And surely many of us can as hardly bear a little wealth, small revenues, a few hundreds, nay 1scores, as Saul and the other could their kingdoms: though (ere we had them) we were as lowly and mean in our own eyes, as our fellows.
Euen as wee see, meane and beggarly persons, that neuer knew what belonged to wealth or dignitie, yet if they be raised vnto it, cannot beare it, nay the ground cannot beare them: if they bee set on horsebacke, they ride out of reason, euen till they breake their owne neckes: whereas ingenuous and wel-bred natures can aswell carry themselues in such a condition, (especially if education and grace meet together) as the poorest can in a bace and simple. And surely many of vs can as hardly beare a little wealth, small reuenues, a few hundreds, nay 1scores, as Saul and the other could their kingdomes: though (ere wee had them) we were as lowly and meane in our owne eies, as our fellowes.
- 1Note.
Therefore, as I said, we may see, how soon we abuse Gods benefits, and all such good liberties, as he bestoweth upon us, as riches, health, promotion, credit (I would I might not say spiritual gifts also) even as Pharaoh his princely estate and greatness: the rich man in the Gospel, his wealth: Herod, 1the very praise and commendation that was given him by the people. So we that can challenge nothing at Gods hands as due debt to us, but trouble and sorrow, which is the fruit of our sin; what a lamentable case is it, that the Lord sparing us much from sundry calamities, and furnishing us with benefits of divers kinds, to draw us to know, love, believe in him and honour him, that we cannot for all this, so soon enjoy any thing that is ought worth, but by and by we set up our bristles, we forget from what a cursed estate, and whence we came, and kick up our heels against the Lord: and yet this is easy to be seen in all estates of men, and kinds of Gods benefits.