A10933:1249
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.
In this part following of the parable, Jotham denounceth against the men 1of Shechem and Abimelech, saying: If ye have done well, in that ye have done, rejoice: else your joy shall God break off: Let us by this see, that all rejoice in their doings, according to that they are, whether they be good or bad: but let us be persuaded, that to be the durable and sound joy, which God alloweth, nay commandeth us in all our doings, (as we see Deut. 28. 2and elsewhere) to wit, that which cometh from well doing, and a good conscience. But all other joy is either wicked, as Hamans, Adonijas and Absaloms: 3or vain, and to be repented of; as the young mans in Eccles. and is a 4compound of bitter and sweet: but the bitter is durable, the sweet soon vanisheth, when men are merry, and in their mirth suffer any known sin, or dishonour of God among them, their rejoicing is not good; but Christs 5woe meeteth with them, when he saith, Woe be to you that now laugh, for you 6shall wail and weep. And when in the common course of our life, we are led by the affection of joy, which hath no good ground nor warrant, such joy 7is evil, and shall be turned into sorrow and woe. And yet I deny not, but mirth, yea even natural mirth in things transitory and indifferent is allowed, so that it be moderated; yea, and especially if it be used to nourish spiritual joy; to which end it is ordained of God, and for the supporting of our greatest infirmities, even as all other of Gods earthly benefits are likewise.
In this part following of the parable, Iotham denounceth against the men 1