A10933:1973
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 80 › Chapter 15 › Part 2: The second 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.
for then they ought to believe, that he would both have directed them what to do, and would also have assisted them. But this not appearing by any necessary proof, they are only to be charged for this, that they proceeded herein upon sinister causes, and not by the warrant of knowledge; as appears by their fleshly fearing the Philistines, because they were strong: and they did not cleave to Samson in this respect, seeing they saw not that they were like to be eased greatly by him against them, and thereupon were so ready to go about to apprehend him, and to ask him what he meant to provoke the Philistines against them, they being yet under their dominion.
for then they ought to beleeue, that hee would both haue directed them what to doe, and would also haue assisted them. But this not appearing by any necessarie proofe, they are onely to be charged for this, that they proceeded herein vpon sinister causes, and not by the warrant of knowledge; as appeares by their fleshly fearing the Philistims, because they were strong: and they did not cleaue to Samson in this respect, seeing they saw not that they were like to be eased greatly by him against them, and thereupon were so ready to goe about to apprehend him, and to aske him what hee meant to prouoke the Philistims against them, they being yet vnder their dominion.
So that this we may learn hereby; That howsoever God promised to 1be with us in all our ways appointed to us by him to walk in, as he did to these men of Judah, yet if we cannot do so without opposition, displeasure and resistance by men, we commonly look, as they did, to the strongest side, with fleshly and carnal eyes, I mean, to the power of man, and not of God, and so we soon go out of the way: which is not like to be without our great hurt. And yet marvellous it is to see, what slavish minds are in us, 2that how plainly soever God reveal his will to us, in and about any particular duty, we will have an hundred shifts and excuses why we cannot (as we say) but indeed dare not walk in the approved beaten way, which God hath laid out for us.