A10933:1358
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 yet for him to be slain by a Page, was it such an honour to a great King so valiant and victorious, as Abimelech now thought himself, being in the top of his hopes, and having brought under his enemies? Therefore where God will set his brand of shame upon a man, it is but folly for him to strive against him, or to elude him. It was as confidently given out that Abimelech was slain by the hand of a woman, as that Sisera was dispatched by Jael: as for the Page, he slew (as we may say) a dead man in a mockery. If this verify not the saying, [God resisteth the proud,] what doth? When men that have carried themselves 1aloft, and borne their heads on high, as the tall Cedars, being terrors to their inferiors, especially of the more religious sort, are thus brought to shame, as he was, is it not notable to see them as much abased in their death below the meanest, as they advanced themselves above the greatest before? It is reported 2of a Pope that he entered in like a Fox, ruled like a Lion, and died like a Dog: if he had also been buried as that proud Jehoijkon or Jezebel like an 3Ass, what could have been added to his shame? and yet a living Lion, to be made a dead dog is baseness enough. Therefore we may clearly see by this that the seeking of glory, as Solomon saith, is no glory, but the glory of 4such is their shame. For although for a time it may hold and last, yet in a short time it shall vanish and end with reproach, whatsoever else go with it. And so it is generally in all pride and vainglory, as I noted out of Gaal's example before, it shall end with shame; and contrarily, the humble and lowly in mind shall be exalted. For there can not one tittle of Gods word fall to 5the ground, but it must be verified, to the comfort of the one, and the just rewarding of the other.
And yet for him to be slaine by a Page, was it such an honour to a great King so valiant and victorious, as Abimelech now thought himselfe, being in the top of his hopes, and hauing brought vnder his enemies? Therefore where God will set his brand of shame vpon a man, it is but folly for him to striue against him, or to elude him. It was as confidently giuen out that Abimelech was slaine by the hand of a woman, as that Sisera was dispatcht by Iael: as for the Page, hee slew (as we may say) a dead man in a mockery. If this verifie not the saying, [God resisteth the proud,] what doth? When men that haue carried thēselues