A10933:1262
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.
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.
NOw it followeth in this third part of the chapter, how both 1Abimelech and the men of Shechem were destroyed; with the occasions and meanes thereof, which were two: first the discord betwixt them and dissension: secondly open warre 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 euill spirit betwixt them, euen the spirit of Satan, and therefore there must needs be discord betwixt them, as in these verses appeares, to the 26. And being thus at dissension, they were prouoked to fight, till each slew other, as I haue said. But before I enter into, and lay open these things, this is to be considered, first, that is said here, that Abimelech ruled ouer Israel three yeres. Which words are a preparatiue to that which followeth: for thus they are to be taken; that after these words of Iotham, thus vttered, Abimelech raigned three yeeres notwithstanding, and the men of Shechem and he made a shift to hold together so long. All which while a man would haue thought Iotham his parable had been but a dreame and delusion: But when three yeeres (a short time to speake of for a King to enioy his crowne) 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 haue forgotten Iotham, but being within three yeeres thus fulfilled, who might not remember the prophecie, and note the accomplishment thereof? Thus the Lord will haue his iudgements cease vpon his enemies: so that they who see them, may say, This is no casuall mischance which hath befallen them, but the hand of God pursuing them manifestly, for such or such a transgression.