A10933:1240
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 other sons of Gideon are compared with Abimelech, as the good 1trees are with the bramble. And yet they, who were more excellent then he, would not reign: much less should Abimelech, who was far less worthy, and yet he did. By the trees here, and Gideons other sons, who would not reign, though they mought, nor the trees, as the vine, olive, and fig tree, that would not leave their state for an higher, nor their sweetness for any other; all of us are taught to keep compass, and to frame ourselves willingly to abide in the estate wherein God hath set us (as indeed the only and best estate for us) and not to break out of our range and compass, to 2affect that which is not for us. And as gifts are required thereto, and calling; so we should attend thereupon, and employ our time on that, for which we are fitted: yea and look to find most sweetness therein. For as we are taught to pray for our daily bread, even that success and measure of blessing that God seeth best; so that which he sendeth, we should hold to be best for us. A worthy proof we have hereof in David, who, though he were ⟨p. 460⟩designed to the kingdom, yet he professeth himself so modest & sober minded, that he looked not at any thing too high for him, but possessed his soul 3in silence and patience. Noting by the way, that to avoid this pragmatical humour and ambition, a man must get an humble hart, much occupied about the well ordering of his own affections, & finding work enough at home.
The other sonnes of Gedeon are compared with Abimelech, as the good 1trees are with the bramble. And yet they, who were more excellent then he, would not raigne: much lesse should Abimelech, who was farre lesse worthie, and yet he did. By the trees here, and Gedeons other sonnes, who would not raigne, though they mought, nor the trees, as the vine, oliue, and figge tree, that would not leaue their state for an higher, nor their sweetnes for any other; all of vs are taught to keepe compasse, and to frame ourselues willingly to abide in the estate wherein God hath set vs (as indeed the only and best estate for vs) and not to breake out of our range and compasse, to