A10933:1319
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.
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.
And while Gaal the Captain of the men of Shechem fled, many of them 1fell and were slain, according to the Lords foretelling, and for that their sin against Gideons house: and their boasting defender himself (as he took upon him to be) was cast out of the city with his brethren, that they did not so much as remain in it. And by this let all learn a further lesson, then to shun and avoid boasters; to wit that they neither put themselves under 2the shadow of flesh: for even so they shall be served, (as these men of Shechem were) who repose their confidence in man, or in any earthly thing. And this doth clearly show the beginning of the destruction of the men of Shechem. But of the argument now handled, I need not repeat that which hath been spoke upon sundry occasions heretofore: as for Gaal, we 3see he roasted not that which he got in hunting. Gaal thought by cracks and boasting to wind in himself and his brethren with the men of Shechem: 4as for Abimelech, he knew he got into the kingdom by tyranny, and he thought it liker for many to prevail then one. And although commonly it cometh to pass that men stablish themselves and theirs, by flattery and cozening, yet here it was otherwise. For he was frustrate of his hope, and ⟨p. 489⟩as we see here, cast out by Abimelech. And so God dealeth oft-times, that 5though many unworthy persons lift up their heads, and build their nest on high against the darts of misfortune, (as they call it) by pride, extortion, cruelty, boasting, &c. yet God many times hindereth the course of such, and throweth them down: as he soon broke off the ill course that Judas 6took to be rich: Joab, Abner, and Ahithophel, who were near to the King in whose days they lived, yet in time they were cast down from their greatness and glory which they had. Oh how hath he done the like in latter times since, that if such will needs darken and obscure Gods glory and the Gospel for their own pleasure, or the setting up of themselves; they may see with their own eyes, as also all that applauded them, that they have received their due reward, when God hath cast them down with shame, and yet the worst is behind; which abideth such, whatsoever changes they meet with here in the mean season.