A10933:2034
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 82 › Chapter 16 › 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.
It hath been well seen in this story, that Samson (notwithstanding some faults) was one of the deer servants of God, as also, it is confirmed that he was so in the Epistle to the Hebrews. And yet now behold, he is snared 1with an harlot, nay made drunk with that which was precious to him, and deceivable in her. This is wondered at, and raiseth doubtful thoughts of heart in many of Gods weak people, to see a man so beloved of God as he was, to be left to himself to fall so shamefully. They desire therefore to know how this should come to pass, that Samson, otherwise so good a man, should be thus bereaved of his former good mind at this time, yea so disguised, and become so unlike himself, and that in so short a time after he had served God so commendably in the former Chapter, vers. 16. &c. and that he who could overcome, and by his strength slew a thousand at one time, and that without weapon, should become so impotent, thus to be overcome of a poor silly woman, yea of an harlot. But it teacheth, that such a thing may possibly befall the deer servants of God. Such frailty they are subject to, and such corruption remaineth still in them, that they may possibly forget God for the time, (a fearful thing to think of,) and the holy estate they are in, and be soon carried by occasion from their steadfastness in faith, knowledge, and other grace to such fearful sins, and thereby it was that Samson fell into this sin of whoredom, his heart not being armed against uncleanness, nor he upholden in his former chasteness and grace.
It hath been well seene in this storie, that Samson (notwithstanding some faults) was one of the deere seruants of God, as also, it is confirmed that hee was so in the Epistle to the Hebrewes. And yet now behold, hee is snared 1with an harlot, nay made drunke with that which was pretious to him, and deceiueable in her. This is wondred at, and raiseth doubtfull thoughts of heart in many of Gods weake people, to see a man so beloued of God as hee was, to be left to himselfe to fal so shamefully. They desire therfore to know how this should come to passe, that Samson, otherwise so good a man, should be thus bereaued of his former good mind at this time, yea so disguised, and become so vnlike himselfe, and that in so short a time after hee had serued God so commendably in the former Chapter, vers. 16. &c. and that he who could ouercome, and by his strength slew a thousand at one time, and that without weapon, should become so impotent, thus to bee ouercome of a poore sillie woman, yea of an harlot. But it teacheth, that such a thing may possibly befall the deere seruants of God. Such frailty they are subiect to, and such corruption remaineth still in them, that they may possibly forget God for the time, (a fearefull thing to thinke of,) and the holy estate they are in, and bee soone carried by occasion from their steadfastnesse in faith, knowledge, and other grace to such fearfull sinnes, and thereby it was that Samson fell into this sinne of whoredome, his heart not being armed against vncleannesse, nor he vpholden in his former chastnesse and grace.