A10933:1255
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 last verse, after the speech of Jotham, it is said that he fled to hide 1himself for fear of Abimelech. And no marvel though he fled: for men have been impatient in hearing rebukes in all ages; even as there may be no reproof, either of mens estates or doings, admitted or borne, be they never so unsound or wicked: especially by those who are great in the world, for the most part. That of Hosea the Prophet doth sufficiently testify 2it, saying: Though by swearing, lying, stealing, adultery, &c. the land do mourn, yet let no man reprove another: meaning, that it should be in vain. And our Saviour foresaw this, in willing his Disciples to flee from city to city: noting that men would not bear reproof, but through the 3love of the darkness they were in, they would hate the light, especially to be reproved, and the messengers of God that were the bringers thereof. ⟨p. 466⟩Read how Asa, a good man, handled the messenger of God, Hanani the 4Seer, when he brought his message from God: he was wroth with him, and put him in prison. Many, who know their own strength what they are able to do, because they are of great wealth and authority, how justly soever they are reproved, will not see that, but pretend that Preachers seek to bring their necks under their girdle, and to domineer over them: and that they allege to be the reason, why they refuse to be reproved by them. But let their consciences tell them, that they fear them not in that respect, they being men of small account in the world: but yet they take occasion to shake off their sermons or private companies, under that pretence and colour. But they hope by this means, that they may attain most easily that which they have sought, and do desire; to wit, that they may more boldly go forward in their sins, while there is no man that shall have access or allowance to tell them thereof. But what followeth such doing, but this; that they go forward in them still, till they ring in every mans ear, and are in every mans mouth to be talked of, and they also dye after the same manner, that is, without repentance, being bereaved of all their greatness, and left helpless and hopeless in great baseness and contempt.