A10933:1903
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.
It is said here, that the spirit of the Lord came upon Samson again, that we may know that he was guided thereby, in that which he went about, when he slew the thirty Philistines at Ascalon, and was thereby strengthened also to do it. This example of his is not to be followed of us, I confess, but we must do things in our vocation which God have commanded generally in his word.
It is said heere, that the spirit of the Lord came vpon Samson againe, that we may know that he was guided thereby, in that which hee went about, when he slew the thirtie Philistims at Ascalon, and was thereby strengthened also to doe it. This example of his is not to bee followed of vs, I confesse, but we must do things in our vocation which God haue commanded generally in his word.
The apparel of these thirty men of the Philistines whom he slew, he 1gave to them that told the meaning of the riddle. So that although he fell into their hands by subtlety, yet doth he not shift them off, and serve them according to their dealings with him, but satisfy them: for though no mention be here made of the linen that he gave them with the garments, yet we must understand it thus, that he gave them all, though the chief only be named, it being the manner of the spirit of God to express the whole oftentimes by a part: and besides, we know, they would not otherwise have been contented and satisfied. So we are to know that it doth not become us who are Christians, to yield ill measure to them that offer it to us, as we see that neither Samson did, but to overcome evil with good: which (it must be granted) will hardly be yielded to, and the flesh affordeth much ill counsel against it: but we are not debtors to it, to fulfil the desires of it, 2but to practise innocency, through many provocations to the contrary. Nay further, although we should pretend that we use our advantage against him that hath wronged us, to this end that we may play stopgame (as we say) with him, and save our selves harmless, although we do not deprive him simply of his own, even this (I say) is not permitted us: except the advantage be such as we may lawfully take, and would have taken against him in equity, whether he had given us occasion of revenge or no. As for example, if he have wronged us in our bargain through our oversight, we may not provide for our selves by some oversight of his: but if he stands not to covenant, or deny us our due, we may lawfully seek our own, after all other means to come by it have been used, so we have no respect of revenge. And this is the straight rule: but where is the practise of it, even among them that know it, and profess it should be so, to let others go? But we think our condition unequal, if we may not deceive the deceiver, and prevent his subtlety with the like, and play the Cretans with the Cretan, that is, dissemble, cog, and lye with him that makes no conscience, as if Christianity might not meddle in this business; which yet is as apparent a relic of the old man, and the lust of our flesh, from which we should be purged, as any other, if Paul may be believed.