A10933:1258
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 58 › Chapter 9 › Part 3: The third 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 third part of the Chapter.
Vers. 22. So Abimelech reigned three years over Israel. 23 And the Lord sent an evil spirit betwixt Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem brake their promise to Abimelech. 24. That the cruelty toward the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and their blood might come and be laid upon Abimelech their brother which had slain them, and upon the men of Shechem who had aided him to kill his brethren. 25. So the men of Shechem set men to wait for him in the tops of the mountains: who robbed all that passed that way by them, and it was told Abimelech.
Vers. 22. So Abimelech raigned three yeeres ouer Israel. 23 And the Lord sent an euill spirit betwixt Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem brake their promise to Abimelech. 24. That the crueltie toward the seuentie sonnes of Ierubbaal, and their blood might come and be laid vpon Abimelech their brother which had slaine them, and vpon the men of Shechem who had aided him to kill his brethren. 25. So the men of Shechem set men to waite for him in the tops of the mountaines: who robbed all that passed that way by them, and it was told Abimelech.
Now it followeth in this third part of the chapter, how both 1Abimelech and the men of Shechem were destroyed; with the occasions and means thereof, which were two: first the discord betwixt them and dissension: secondly open war both which made way thereunto. These are to the 42. verse: and the destroying one the other to the end of the chapter. For the first, it is said that the Lord sent an evil spirit betwixt them, even the spirit of Satan, and therefore there must needs be discord betwixt them, as in these verses appears, to the 26. And being thus at dissension, they were provoked to fight, till each slew other, as I have said. But before I enter into, and lay open these things, this is to be considered, first, that is said here, that Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. Which words are a preparative to that which followeth: for thus they are to be taken; that after these words of Jotham, thus uttered, Abimelech reigned three years notwithstanding, and the men of Shechem and he made a shift to hold together so long. All which while a man would have thought Jotham his parable had been but a dream and delusion: But when three years (a short time to speak of for a King to enjoy his crown) were come about, then the Lords threat began to take effect, (for how should it be otherwise?) though a little while it were deferred? Now if the time had been long, men might easily have forgotten Jotham, but being within three years thus fulfilled, who might not remember the prophecy, and note the accomplishment thereof? Thus the Lord will have his judgements cease upon his enemies: so that they who see them, may say, This is no casual mischance which hath befallen them, but the hand of God pursuing them manifestly, for such or such a transgression.