A10933:2014
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 81 › Chapter 15 › Part 4: The fourth 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.
The Angels had this title to be called the servants of God. And as he said 1he was his servant: so particularly he showed that he was so in this: for he said, I have not pleased my self, nor served mine own humour in killing these Philistines; but I did thy work, and fought thy battles: Even so in our particular actions, we are to look to be guided by God, to prove that we are in the state of servants, and not hang-byes: and then we may be able with boldness to say, we have a good conscience in all things, and where we are accused, yet to be at peace, else God might also discharge himself of his promise unto us. It is no small privilege (as I have noted elsewhere) that whiles we are well occupied, we may boldly sue to God for blessing. And so did Samson here. For if earthly masters tie themselves to provide sustenance for their servants, not looking that they should be troubled with the care of any thing, save their labour; then with what boldness might Samson here call upon the Lord, that he might not perish for thirst, being in the heat of his work? For it might else have turned to the dishonour of the Lord, to suffer him to miscarry for want. Oh that men would try the Lord in this, and commit their ways to him in well-doing, to see if he would not effect their good desires, and else let them not wonder that he seem an hard master to them.
The Angels had this title to be called the seruants of God. And as he said 1he was his seruant: so particularly he shewed that he was so in this: for he said, I haue not pleased my selfe, nor serued mine owne humour in killing these Philistims; but I did thy worke, and fought thy battailes: Euen so in our particular actions, wee are to looke to be guided by God, to proue that we are in the state of seruants, and not hangbyes: and then we may be able with boldnes to say, we haue a good conscience in all things, and where we are accused, yet to be at peace, else God might also discharge himselfe of his promise vnto vs. It is no small priuiledge (as I haue noted elsewhere) that whiles we are well occupied, wee may boldly sue to God for blessing. And so did Samson here. For if earthly masters tye themselues to prouide sustenance for their seruants, not looking that they should be troubled with the care of any thing, saue their labour; then with what boldnes might Samson here call vpon the Lord, that he might not perish for thirst, being in the heat of his worke? For it might else haue turned to the dishonour of the Lord, to suffer him to miscarrie for want. Oh that men would trie the Lord in this, and commit their waies to him in well-doing, to see if he would not effect their good desires, and else let them not wonder that he seeme an hard master to them.