A10933:1791
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 in this last verse, (for I refer the next to the Chapter following) 1the birth of the child Sampson is mentioned, as the sign thereof was given before by the Angel, and how the Lord prepared him for such a purpose, as to help his people against their enemies, by giving him strength of body, and courage of mind. About his birth, after his parents had received a promise from God of having such a child, yet there were many doubts in them, which now we see were all answered.
Now in this lastverse, (for I referre the next to the Chapter following) 1the birth of the child Sampson is mentioned, as the signe thereof was giuen before by the Angell, and how the Lord prepared him for such a purpose, as to helpe his people against their enemies, by giuing him strength of body, and courage of minde. About his birth, after his parents had receiued a promise from God of hauing such a childe, yet there were many doubts in them, which now we see were all answered.
- 1Verse 24.
Even so we are to know, that though there be many thoughts of heart, 1and much heaviness in Gods people about the enjoying of the sundry good things that God hath promised them before they be accomplished, yet we see God in his appointed time effecteth and bringeth them to pass. It is true, that by reason of the much unbelief that is in us, yea, though sometime it be well purged out of us, we are every while doubting 2till we obtain the things which are promised, and yet some of them we live to see performed: and as certainly shall the rest be also, even as we see the promise that a barren woman should bear, came to pass to the parents that believed it, that Gods deed and his word may be one. And this is true in the promises of removing any judgements or crosses, as by the malice of the wicked, by pain, penury, or other oppressions, or of any blessings temporary, as well as of grace to bear afflictions, or to use prosperity rightly, or of a good end of our days. How many and great promises had David of the kingdom? yet through not only the long deferring thereof, but also the admirable and manifold oppositions that he met with, what likelihood was there that he should ever have enjoyed it? in so much as upon the sight of them, he brake out himself, and said, I shall surely dye by the hand of Saul one time or other, but yet came it not to pass that he enjoyed it, and was stablished in it. Therefore let all those who have a part in the promises of God, count it their singular privilege and honour to have the Lord of heaven and earth thus bound to them, (as indeed to be out of this compass is the greatest misery, though a man had all abundance) let such, I say, rejoice daily that they are reckoned among them whom God hath assured to grace, enlighten, purge, govern, uphold, and hereafter glorify. And let them watch and wait for the performance of these promises, seeing that he who hath made them, and in whom they