A10933:1350
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.
To the former two mischiefs that Abimelech wrought against the men 1of Shechem, in that he destroyed their City, and the people that were in it, ⟨p. 500⟩and their strong place and hold that the rest resorted to for safety, and burnt it: to these I say, the holy story addeth how he went about another. As thereby showing, that he was not yet satisfied with the blood of the former: and therefore that he went further, to wit, to a City near adjoining, called Thebez: which also as it is probable, though uncertain, either joined with the Shechemites, or at least refused to be subject to Abimelech, and going against that, took it also. Thus we see how this cruel base-borne Tyrant proceeded in his bloody attempts, and thereby also is showed what extremity these people of Thebez, were brought unto. For they were all driven to shift for themselves in a Tower that they had in their city. Wherein 2though they might shelter themselves for a day, yet they could not long live, but must needs be famished at least, by any thing that they could see. These and such like dangers men lie open to in this changeable world, whereof they see no likelihood a little before. Which may teach us the uncertainty of all things here below, in which yet men repose their confidence, and that no man can upon good ground say, that to morrow shall be like to day. As by that speech of the Lord, in the 12. of Luke, to him that bad his 3soul take the ease, eat, drink and be merry, seeing he had laid up much good in store, I say, by that speech may be seen, when the Lord said unto him. Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee, then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? even the day before he died. And lest it should be thought to be his case alone, this he added: So shall it be with him that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Therefore how many may we see and hear of, who are fearfully taken away from all? and many other are wasted, and have their estate changed, as if they had never enjoyed it? And such as regard not these things, are like to have much to do, when they shall see their own prosperity so to fade in like manner: Oh it shall be utterly unwelcome. And who can say any less, then that in smaller changes by loss, sickness, poverty, diseases;