A10933:1263
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.
It is not said, that he was Judge over Israel, for they were raised up by God, but he ruled and usurped, as Tyrants use to do. And to begin first 1with his prosperity in that God gave him this short time to enjoy his desire, and to domineer as he did, it is to teach us, that he doth for some little time, give wicked men their longed for desires; and yet not for that he applaudeth them therein, but that they may have time to repent, and to bethink themselves what they have done, and how they have gone to work, and how many ways they have provoked God; and that if they refuse so to do, they may see that they be justly rejected, and that God had no pleasure in them, in their greatest flourish. Zimry and Cozby, Chorah and Haman, with the Rich man in the Gospel, and others many, a short time they had to work, and accomplish their desires, and take their pleasure, and enjoy the lust of their hearts. And indeed so short a time had need be well improved, while it lasts, for when that time was over and past, what hear ye, even this, that their folly, nay their shame and madness, was manifested and spoken of in all places. Neither should their reproach and downfall have been so notable, if they had not proudly passed their bounds, and carried themselves too loftily before. Many ways, we see, God hath to destroy such. Sometime he suffers them not to plant themselves at all, but crosses them in the enterprise, as Absalom and Adonija: sometimes he suffers them to take deep root, and gives them a long time, but it is with much vexation and unsettling; as Pharaoh and Ahab. And otherwhiles he lets them flourish but a short time, and pulls them up ere they be half rooted, as this Abimelech. Whether he keeps them from attaining that which they seek, or keeps them under, or plucks them up again, let them learn by them all, that he is wise, and knows how to handle them, and to shelter his own from the annoyance of them. David, Psal. 37. speaking of this third sort of flourishers, 2whom he compares to the green Bay tree, (which though it be barren, yet keeps the colour both Winter and Summer) addeth this, that they are suddenly and horribly consumed: and it is the argument of many Psalms, and the sum of that which Jobs friends so much insist upon, (though they apply it preposterously) That the happiness of the wicked is short.