A10933:1323
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.
If the men of Shechem had gone out of the city, but to walk, or to do 1some business, as some (perhaps) would think they did, Abimelech should not have needed to prepare two or three bands of armed men to set upon a few, scatteringly here and there, and those unarmed, coming forth to their work; or if they had gone out upon pleasure, what had he gained, to have gone forth with bands against a few persons? But it is clear therefore (as I said) and most certain, that they went out in warlike manner to fight with Abimelech, (though they went without Gaal their Captain) being much provoked and incensed for the loss of their neighbours, whom Abimelech had slain the day before. For they were many, and for that they were now heated very much: and more in spite, rashness, and desire of revenge, rather then good advisedness they went to work: being driven and put to their shifts, as they thought, and that somewhat they must do to him, either that they must overthrow him, or else they saw that he would surely root out them: for to this it was now come, that the word of God by Jotham, 2might be fulfilled. And by this we see to what desperate shifts men are driven by their falsehood, cruelty, rashness, vain, confidence in man, and by the like sins: and what wise man would look for any better end of such doings?
If the men of Shechem had gone out of the citie, but to walke, or to doe 1some businesse, as some (perhaps) would thinke they did, Abimelech should not haue needed to prepare two or three bands of armed men to set vpon a few, scatteringly here and there, and those vnarmed, comming forth to their worke; or if they had gone out vpon pleasure, what had he gained, to haue gone forth with bands against a few persons? But it is cleare therefore (as I said) and most certaine, that they went out in warlike manner to fight with Abimelech, (though they went without Gaal their Captaine) being much prouoked and incensed for the losse of their neighbours, whom Abimelech had slaine the day before. For they were many, and for that they were now heated very much: and more in spite, rashnesse, and desire of reuenge, rather then good aduisednesse they went to worke: being driuen and put to their shifts, as they thought, and that somewhat they must doe to him, either that they must ouerthrow him, or else they saw that hee would surelie root out them: for to this it was now come, that the word of God by Iotham,