A10933:1930
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 79 › Chapter 15 › 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.
But to return to their dealings with men, whom when they have sore hurt and wronged, they make a light matter of it, and say, they meant no harm; they are like the man in the Proverbs, that feigned himself mad, and cast firebrands and arrows, and saith, he was in sport: so they deal deceitfully 1and wickedly with their friend and neighbour, and say, they are in sport, that is, they mean no harm. But if the least injury be offered them (as was here to this Philistine by Samson, going from his daughter but a while) they will make of a little matter a great, rather then be satisfied with such an answer, that the party thought it would not be so hardly taken. To conclude, as Solomon saith to the young men; Rejoice in thy youth, &c: but be 2sure God will bring thee to judgement: so I may say to these men while health and jollity lasteth, and none to control you, tread your underlings under your feet, and wind God himself about your fingers: make a slight matter of sin, and say, it was but a trick of youth, it was but a small matte, I did it but once; as many at this day make a But of Adams sin, he did but eat an apple (a matter of nothing) and lo both he and all his posterity must die for it. And do ye as Esau did, Tush, what great matter is it to sell my birthright, 3let it go? Sooth up your selves (I say) with the conceit of him that thinks God is (as the Papists paint him) but a good old man and sits idle, he will neither do good nor evil, we may use and deal with him as we list. But when God shall take the wild Ass in her months (who being light, cared for none of her pursuers) I mean, when he shall visit these men, 4and set before their face their unconscionableness and hard measure, which they have offered and made nothing of, (as if other men were made to be their tennis-balls, and the objects of their wrong and scorn) then their sin shall not seem a small But, but a great hill and mountain unto them, and they shall cry out, saying, We never felt the weight of our sin till now; it was light in committing, but the punishment is greater then we can bear. And as the holy Ghost threatens adulterers, God shall judge them; so let these 5