A10933:1107
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 indeed such jolly fellows had need of this warrant even to man-ward, that they shall never fall nor decay in their estate; seeing that else, who seeth not what fruit they reap of their scorn and pride, to wit, that being underfoot all men rejoice in their ruin, and make them their pastime, few or none pitying them, or taking their part: whereas others are lamented and relived in their misery. Who pitieth Herod eaten up with worms, because he would so proudly exceed the bounds of man▪ and be counted a God? Haman was hanged upon the gallows: who readeth it not with joy, rather then is grieved at it? because (while he was aloft) he made himself the terror of the Church for his cruelty? How should Job have answered it in his affliction, if he had usurped over his underlings, 1being in prosperity? When David sent messengers to Hanun to 2comfort him, he cuts off their garments by the middle, and shaves them, and so sends them back to their Master. But the time came, when he repented him of that jolly defiance. Tush, saith Sheba, who is David, and who is the 3son of Ishai? Who is Abimelech said Gaal? A base fellow, I defy and scorn him and his: but soon after, he wished that unsaid again, and so did the other. And thus of these now mentioned, together with Adonibezek, and them of Succoth and Penuel, let this suffice that hath been said. Therefore as for all desperate and profane wretches (whom nothing but the halter, or stabbing, or such like deserved plague of God befalling them, will ⟨p. 411⟩persuade the truth hereof) let them go as they are. But let all Gods people (who are to look at God aswell as men) beware especially, that they forget not themselves this way: but walk humbly, with due weighing their own vileness, and the changeableness of all things here below; else even 4they may fall, as Ezechia did.
And indeed such iolly fellowes had need of this warrant euen to man-ward, that they shall neuer fall nor decay in their estate; seeing that else, who seeth not what fruite they reape of their scorne and pride, to wit, that being vnderfoot all men reioyce in their ruine, and make them their pastime, few or none pitying them, or taking their part: whereas others are lamented and reliued in their miserie. Who pitieth Herod eaten vp with wormes, because he would so proudly exceed the bounds of man and be counted a God? Haman was hanged vpon the gallowes: who readeth it not with ioy, rather then is grieued at it? because (while hee was aloft) he made himselfe the terrour of the Church for his crueltie? How should Iob haue answered it in his affliction, if hee had vsurped ouer his vnderlings,