A10933:1783
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.
To return to the point again, this merciful forbearance of the Lord is even seen oftentimes in one and the same persons visitation: that although he lay his hand upon the body, yet oft times the mind is free, and the spirit is able to sustain the bodies infirmity. Yet I spake not this, as if this were a token of Gods forsaking a man, when he seemeth to afflict on every side: for then the Lord drives his people to cling to himself, when all props and crutches are removed, lest they should sink altogether. Jobs wife and himself 1were down together, (as we may say) children slain, cattle and substance destroyed, friends and kindred alienated. And this wrought (no doubt) strongly upon his weakest part: but if the Lord had not been on his side, yea instead of all comfort by wife, or others; he could neither have resisted desperate impatience, even at the hearing of the first heavy message that was brought unto him, nor (much less) have said afterward, Although he kill me, I will trust in him. Therefore although the Lord do ordinarily 2thus measure out to his children, that all sorrow comes not at once: yet let none indent with the Lord, that thus he shall deal alway with him. The Lord is tied to no certainty, or necessity in temporal crosses to his best servants, save only to be their God all-sufficient, and to minister unto them the grace which shall be sufficient. Many have fallen into such straits through infectious diseases, poverty, travail, &c. that they wanted succour and comfort, from the nearest unto them. Only the Lord forsake not his, being nearer to them in misery, then nature can make the nearest friends to each other.
To returne to the point againe, this mercifull forbearance of the Lord is euen seene oftentimes in one and the same persons visitation: that although he lay his hand vpon the bodie, yet oft times the minde is free, and the spirit is able to sustaine the bodies infirmitie. Yet I spake not this, as if this were a token of Gods forsaking a man, when he seemeth to afflict on euery side: for then the Lord driues his people to cling to himselfe, when all props and crutches are remoued, lest they should sinke altogether. Iobs wife and himselfe 1were downe together, (as we may say) children slaine, cattell and substance destroyed, friends and kindred alienated. And this wrought (no doubt) strongly vpon his weakest part: but if the Lord had not been on his side, yea instead of all comfort by wife, or others; he could neither haue resisted desperate impatience, euen at the hearing of the first heauie message that was brought vnto him, nor (much lesse) haue said afterward, Although he kill me, I will trust in him. Therefore although the Lord doe ordinarily