A10933:1455
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.
Now for instruction, we see here by this that Jephthah was begotten of an 1harlot, that the law of God (forbidding that there should be any whore in Israel) was not obeyed, even as before we have heard of Gideon his concubine: whereby we see, how little Gods law is, and hath been regarded in all ages of many, whether this one law, or what other of his soever we understand it of. As for this, of and against whoredom, that it was never more common then in this age, woeful experience proves it to be too true, so that there want now no such offenders more then in former times: I may truly say, in number they far exceed them, as if the antiquity of corrupt example in this kind, were enough to license men to continue it still. And so it is in all other kinds of sin, verifying to the full the Apostles prophecy to Timothy, that in the latter days shall come perilous times: for men shall be 2lovers of themselves, covetous, proud, boasters, and infected with divers other sins. And for this cause cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience: and no marvel that we have many plagues, seeing God is not obeyed almost in any thing. And so may every one particularly say to himself, as he is most obedient, so shall his blessing be. And as this sin in any man had been bad enough, so in Gilead a great man, and who should have punished it in others rather, (being the father of a family) what a reproach was it? Even as in David, in Sampson, in Judah, and in Reuben. For alas, when a mean person sees the commandment of God to be of no greater force, then that every great man is bold to dispense with it, he grows to think it but a scare-crow, and saith boldly (as the strumpet in the Proverbs) Tush, tis but a trick of truth. But for such tricks of youth the Lord in wrath destroyed 24. thousand of Israel. Yea when the great enemy of the Church Balaam being frustrate of his cursed attempt against Israel, (for they are cursed 3who can find in their heart to curse Gods people) sought how to bring an equivalent plague upon the Congregation, he could invent no more fit and mischievous a plot, then to entice them to uncleanness with the Moabitish women, and to Idolatry with their heathenish gods.
Now for instruction, we see here by this that Iphtah was begotten of an