A10933:1075
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 in the first kind, much more I may say, what marvel, if the Lord cross him, when he hath done a good thing in a bad manner, to the end he may call himself to a more due examination of himself, and amend that which was amiss, ere he take in hand such holy duties? It was Gods will that the eleven Tribes should fight against Benjamin: but were they persons for their true repentance 1fit for that business? yea and for all their zeal they wanting the principal; to wit, faith; that God would be with them, did they not go to work amiss? was there not great cause therefore why the Lord should fight as fast against them (to drive them to repentance for their revoltings from him) as they fought against Benjamin? And to teach them that they wanted meekness, love and discretion to temper their fervent revenge withal, that so they might do the holy work of God in an holy manner? Therefore in such a case let men be contented, nay glad, if God cross them, that they may the better spy out what poisoneth their best duties and desires, as pride, rashness, boldness, and learn hereby, meekness, humility, repentance, fear, &c. for God doth justly suffer many discouragements to be upon such, (as he did also oft times deal so with the Israelites going up to Canaan out of Egypt, Exod. 3.) that they may stay their course, in any evil 2attempts, and proceed more advisedly and commendably in their doings. But it falleth out sometime, as I said before, that sore and great difficulties stand up in mens way, not unlike to Gideons: wherein the Lord deals with his, as if he sending them on a journey, would make heaven and earth to be against them in their travels, which is greatly to their admiration and astonishment. As who would have said that David had been chosen of God to be king, when yet the promise thereof, was oft renewed and confirmed to him, seeing his discouragements were so many and strong that he met with? whereas Saul came to his kingdom easily & without trouble? And in such cases, wherein we have so much to dismay us, yet Satan is ever at hand also, to work upon our weakness, and to set us much more backward; especially when we shall be brought to think, Gods deeds seem contrary to his words and promise, as the death of the Shunamites child, which yet had bin given her as an unlooked for blessing.