A10933:1266
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.
But to go forward: this evil spirit that was sent betwixt them, being the first occasion of their overthrow, was the devil; by whose malice and 1subtlety, ill will and hatred were kindled betwixt them, yea and inflamed: and this, with the breaking their promise, doth show us clearly, that the 2league and friendship of the wicked is soon broken off: For why? it hath no good ground. And although there be some outward things which uphold it, as hope of profit, pleasure, preferment, and the serving one of another's turn; although (I say) these and such like, patch up an agreement betwixt them for a while, yet their hearts are inconstant, and many things fall out to breed alienation of affection one from another, and a pitch is soon 3taken, many conceits arise, and reports are carried betwixt them, and who can reckon up all: And yet if there were no other cause hereof, (as yet there is, for they daub up their friendship with untempered mortar, which falleth away) this were enough that is spoken of here, that God can send an ill spirit betwixt them, even then, when they are most strongly combined and knit together: and cause them to break their promise one to another, and jar and disagree. And although it be a great reproach to them, that their contentions should break out and be known, (as if both consent together to smite the righteous) and therefore in wicked policy they do what they can, to hide them; yet otherwise they are divided, and strongly incensed one against the other, which also breaketh out sometime, and so confirmeth this truth, that though they seemed to be glued in friendship and familiarity together, and make men believe, that their love is firm, yet their league is rotten, and they grow to be at defiance one with the other, and that oft times betwixt themselves secretly, before it break forth in the sight of men. The use whereof is, that we make no such wicked and cursed leagues. 4Secondly, that we account no otherwise of them where they be made, but as of the Spiders web, soon swept down: and thirdly, praise God highly when we see them broken. For that turneth to the great benefit of the Church, and the divers members of it: as we read that the division of the Pharisees and Sadducees turned to Pauls deliverance from their rage.