A10933:1417
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.
Another thing herein to be marked, is, that although they had dealt deceitfully ⟨p. 523⟩1with the Lord, both in their former abuses of their deliverances, and now also in their complaint which they make for new help: yet the Lord leaves them not in this case, which had been enough to have hardened them, and made them quite desperate. But even by these words of defiance, whereby he seemeth wholly to abandon them from protection, yet secretly he draws them to a deeper searching into themselves, and to a far more serious meditation on their estate, that so he might grant them their desire, and receive them to favour again. Oh unspeakable and admirable 2kindness of the Lord, thus to draw water out of the rock, and to fetch light (as it were) out of darkness. If God be so gracious to his children when he seemeth to frown; then how sweet and pleasant is his amiable countenance? and how delightful are his promises and his encouragements? If he cannot forget himself so far to his children (though degenerate) as to put off the habit of affection towards them, even when he would play the Judge: then how pleasant is his loving kindness? Therefore, although it is not easy for him that is fallen, and departed from God, to see this intent of God toward him, in the time of his threats and terrors, yet they knowing it to be so, they must grow to believe it, in the time of their need, for it magnifieth Gods deep rooted and tender love to his children, when they have offended, and it makes matter of unfeigned thanks and praise, when the worst end of his anger and displeasure shall appear to have been this, that remorse and repentance might be wrought in those who had offended him, that so they may be received of him again. The ungodly see not, neither find any such fruit of Gods renouncing their complaints and confessions, or his terrors of word and works against them for their sin: his voice is as the voice which sounds in a deaf mans ear: or if they hear 3it, they either rebel the more, or else run away from him through fear? 4But did this present terror so work in these? No, the Lord meant better to them, though he spake roughly, (because indeed fair speech was no fit medicine for their disease) and they were drawn to him by the secret condition, more then driven from him by the open threat.