A10933:1276
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.
OF the first occasion of Abimelechs and the Shechemites destroying one 1another: the next occasion of the mischiefs that followed, is here set down, namely this; that they being thus incensed, one against the other, they fall to open war, and to set it forward, there came in the way one Gaal, and the men of Shechem hired him for their Captain to be for them against Abimelech. And by his help they went out, and gathered their grapes, which otherwise they durst not have done, and made merry, and cursed Abimelech. And that boaster Gaal hardened them against him, affirming Thrasonically, that he would put him down. If the men of Shechem knew him not, as the Scripture sets not down from whence he came, but his behaviour bewrayed him. If (I say) they knew him not, they did foolishly, to receive and rest upon him, being a stranger, though a boaster: and if they did know him, what madness was it, to take and trust in him, though a stranger, yet a boaster? But howsoever their sin was great, in their entertaining of him, yet indeed, it was of and by God (who hereby hastened their destruction) that they should light upon such a Captain; themselves being such soldiers, they might well go together; and no wonder, if boasters and the ambitious so easily accorded, although if they had not been given up to themselves, they would not have trusted to him. Thus the men of Shechem provided for themselves, and how Abimelech did the like, it follows after.
OF the first occasion of Abimelechs and the Shechemites destroying one 1another: the next occasion of the mischiefes that followed, is here set downe, namely this; that they being thus incensed, one against the other, they fall to open warre, and to set it forward, there came in the way one Gaal, and the men of Shechem hired him for their Captaine to be for them against Abimelech. And by his helpe they went out, and gathered their grapes, which otherwise they durst not haue done, and made merry, and cursed Abimelech. And that boaster Gaal hardned them against him, affirming Thrasonically, that he would put him downe. If the men of Shechem knew him not, as the Scripture sets not downe from whence he came, but his behauiour bewraied him. If (I say) they knew him not, they did foolishly, to receiue and rest vpon him, being a stranger, though a boaster: and if they did know him, what madnesse was it, to take and trust in him, though a stranger, yet a boaster? But howsoeuer their sinne was great, in their intertaining of him, yet indeed, it was of and by God (who hereby hastned their destruction) that they should light vpon such a Captaine; themselues being such souldiers, they might well goe together; and no wonder, if boasters and the ambitious so easily accorded, although if they had not been giuen vp to themselues, they would not haue trusted to him. Thus the men of Shechem prouided for themselues, and how Abimelech did the like, it followes after.