A10933:963
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.
We see the covetous man is never satisfied with gold: but trial serves to bring in a commodity of greater price, as I said before. Gold can serve but to feed and apparel us, except we abuse it to the pride of life, to make us think our selves in a fools paradise by enjoying it: but this serveth to increase our spiritual treasure, (if we be wise to use it in kind) both to purge the dross away which cleaveth to our faith, meekness, and patience: and to add to the measure of it also, so that whatsoever good thing we enjoy, we should neither have it in the kind, nor in abundance and store, but through much trial. Therefore rather let us learn to count it great joy, (as S. James saith) when many trials fall upon us: then snuff against God, as if we cared 1not how little grace we had, so we might have ease therewith: as the sluggard in Ecclesiastes, who saith; A morsel with idleness is better then plenty 2with labour. I confess indeed, this is an high degree to joy in affliction, which is so grievous in it self, and not joyous: a greater matter then to joy, (I say not in health, riches and prosperity, which every fool can do) but ⟨p. 361⟩even in hearing the word, or obeying it in many particular duties thereof. Howbeit we want not examples of such as have found joy in their trials, I 3say in them (for he that looks for joy after them, must also find some in them) I mean by hope: as Paul by name, who professeth no less of himself: 4and David with many others. Yea and we also must learn to say; Lord thou teachest me an hard lesson to account affliction matter of great joy: but seeing thou sayest there is sweetness to be gotten out of this bitterness, (as honey out of the carrion of a lion) therefore I will strive to believe it: and that I am as precious in thine eyes, and as dear to thee, even in affliction, 5as in peace & freedom, and that I shall gain more by it, then by all my jollity and ease, in which I should have lien stinking, if by trials thou hadst not kept my faith occupied & lively. For though faith wants not matter enough to work upon, even when we are at the best, and freest from trials, yet such is our sottishness, that promises seem not sweet or savoury to us, except we be driven to seek after them by trials & troubles, but then oh how welcome?