A10933:1445
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.
Sermon 63 › Chapter 10 › Part 3: The third part of the Chapter.
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.
It is a great grace therefore to believe, that (as the Apostle implieth) God will keep from us such afflictions as we are not fit to 1honour him in, but liker to be overcome of our corruption, and betray our cause. If any object the foils of divers servants of God, prevented and taken unawares by strong trials, as Cranmer in the first assault of his enemies forced to yield to that which he ought not, &c. Let such know, God hath a divers end of a divers method: and teacheth men humbleness, and knowledge of themselves by such assaults as they cannot answer, to the end that they may be abler for those trials afterward, having renounced themselves, and got firmer hold upon the all-sufficiency of God, without whose protection 2they are weak, as other men. Now then let men beware how they abuse this dealing of God to their own hurt. For seeing God by this holding off, and forbearing of trials which we could not bear, doth require both exceeding thanks, upon serious recording of this manner of his dealing with us from time to time: as also a growing daily in strength to suffer greater troubles hereafter, (a grace not common:) how grossly do they invert 3and abuse this purpose of God, who make no other use of his sparing and dandling them in the lap and arms, but to wear out the fear or expectation of affliction altogether? whereby the longer they are free, the weaker ⟨p. 532⟩they are to suffer? What difference in this point, will ye make betwixt these and such, as to whom affliction is ever unwelcome and intolerable? I mean the ungodly? Let all Christians beware (therefore) of this softness and tenderness.
It is a great grace therefore to beleeue, that (as the Apostle implieth) God wil keepe from vs such afflictions as we are not fit to 1honour him in, but liker to be ouercome of our corruption, and betray our cause. If any obiect the foiles of diuers seruants of God, preuented and taken vnawares by strong trials, as Cranmer in the first assault of his enemies forced to yeeld to that which he ought not, &c. Let such know, God hath a diuers end of a diuers method: and teacheth men humblenesse, and knowledge of themselues by such assaults as they cannot answer, to the end that they may be abler for those trials afterward, hauing renounced themselues, and got firmer hold vpon the alsufficiencie of God, without whose protection