A10933:1229
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.
Sermon 57 › Chapter 9 › Part 2: The second part of the Chapter.
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.
The second part of the Chapter.
WE have heard how Abimelech and the men of Shechem prospered, 1and pleased themselves in that which they had done. Now in the rest of the Chapter, and first in this second part to the 22. verse, is showed that God would have them blanked and damped in the midst of ⟨p. 457⟩their doings, and first by Jotham, one that was reserved for that purpose. Therefore when it was known to Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, (who escaped the bloody hands of Abimelech) that the men of Shechem were gathered together to make him king, he waited his opportunity, by Gods directing of him, when they should meet together, and came to a place where he might be heard of them, and that was mount Gerazim, which was near to Shechem, on the top whereof he stood, to tell them of their doings, and how they should speed for them. That he came thither by Gods instinct, three reasons do prove, as also Jotham's words in the 7. verse. First, in that he went safe away after: which to reason was not likely. Secondly, for that it came to pass, as he prophesied. Thirdly, the thing was good, and to good use, and not found fault with. His reproving and denouncing against them, for more plainness he set down by a parable, giving them to understand a truth by a thing imagined, as by a manner of speech more plausible and persuasive, then if he had made a direct invective against them.
WE haue heard how Abimelech and the men of Shechem prospered, 1and pleased themselues in that which they had done. Now in the rest of the Chapter, and first in this second part to the 22. verse, is shewed that God would haue them blancked and damped in the midst of ⟨p. 457⟩their doings, and first by Iotham, one that was reserued for that purpose. Therefore when it was knowne to Iotham, the youngest sonne of Gedeon, (who escaped the bloodie hands of Abimelech) that the men of Shechem were gathered together to make him king, hee waited his opportunitie, by Gods directing of him, when they should meete together, and came to a place where hee might be heard of them, and that was mount Gerazim, which was neere to Shechem, on the top whereof hee stood, to tell them of their doings, and how they should speed for them. That he came thither by Gods instinct, three reasons doe proue, as also Iothams words in the 7. verse. First, in that he went safe away after: which to reason was not likely. Secondly, for that it came to passe, as hee prophecied. Thirdly, the thing was good, and to good vse, and not found fault with. His reprouing and denouncing against them, for more plainnes he set down by a parable, giuing them to vnderstand a truth by a thing imagined, as by a maner of speech more plausible and perswasiue, then if he had made a direct inuectiue against them.