A10933:1689
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 71 › Chapter 13 › Part 1: The first 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.
Touching the first of these points, of describing the parents of Samson, I would say the more, but that I see the holy Ghost omitteth and passeth by the commendation of their godliness here, which yet by that which followeth appeareth to have bin great. But yet I will borrow somewhat from other places in this chapter to this purpose. We may observe in Scripture, that upon the like occasion sometimes a very liberal room and commendation is allowed to the parents of worthy instruments. One for all may serve, of the parents of John Baptist, Luk. 1. 6. not so much described by circumstance of place and outward condition, as by their grace and godliness. This is here omitted, and yet so as by the sequel of the history in this chapter, it may appear they were a worthy couple: and the holy Ghost (as it were) leaving it to the discretion of the reader, to make up their description by the good fruits and effects which are after recorded of them both, as (God willing) shall be noted out of the text, I do here make mention of it, as being to good purpose, in the first mentioning of them. Briefly then, let us note from this practise of the spirit of God, how much it availeth to the due setting out of a good posterity, to see from what manner of parents they are descended, (the godly progenitors, being the crown of a good progeny) especially if the unworthiness, and unsuitableness of the ⟨p. 614⟩younger, deprive them not of that honour which their elders have purchased for them. The godly parents are the root whence the children (even 1by promise and covenant, Exod. 20.) are to derive blessing upon themselves, if they be faithful. Hence is it, that all believers are honoured with the spiritual privilege of being the sons of faithful Abraham: a greater by far then to be his degenerate children by carnal propagation, John 4. Secondly, this insinuateth to Parents the duty of care and government: seeing when the children are named (as in the book of Kings commonly) there the parents are set in the forefront, to bear the blame, or to carry away the honour: if their children deserve well, they may claim the praise of it justly, as a blessing and reward of their education: to the shame I speak it of such loose persons, as whose children's religion shameth the ignorance and ungodliness of their parents.