A10933:2042
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.
Indeed it were meet it should be so, I mean, that we should be better fenced and strengthened against evil of all sorts, when we have been well occupied and taken up in duty to God before, and I confess, (as all will grant) that if we consider it well, that we should after and by such service 1done to God, as Samson did against the Philistines, we should (I say) be fenced against all the sweet baits of sin for a long time afterward; and it were meet, that by such good spiritual refreshing of our souls, we might be the fitter to proceed cheerfully and readily from one duty to another, at least to be far from such disguisings, as this of Samsons was. But as the devil handleth the matter, who slightly and covertly worketh thereby in us security, and a pleasing of our selves in the good that we have done, we are sometimes easily led to dream, and imagine, that we having now been well occupied, we may more boldly take our liberty, and by good right remit and slake our care that we had before: to the which we are all prone by the rebellion of our wicked nature. To be forward any way to sin after we have been fleshed on by ill company, and such like enticements, it is a thing not to be marvelled at: but after we have been well occupied, and have done faithful service to God, then to break out amiss, and to go (like Cain and Judas) out of Gods presence, as it were into the devils shop forthwith, about his work and business, this (I say) would not easily be thought, that we might be brought unto. But yet through wilful ignorance, that we will know no better, neither will see, when yet we do, or through sloth, pride, looseness and security bearing sway in us, we may possibly be misled, yea and that easily and full soon, after this manner, as I have said. The use of this is, to reprove them who will say: What? must we ever be in serving of God? The which speech how unsavoury it is, and unbeseeming professors of the Gospel, all may see, who know, that the service of God is perfect freedom: and they shall see also, when for the neglecting of it, they have well smarted.
Indeed it were meete it should be so, I meane, that wee should be better fenced and strengthened against euill of all sorts, when we haue been well occupied and taken vp in dutie to God before, and I confesse, (as all will grant) that if wee consider it well, that wee should after and by such seruice 1done to God, as Samson did against the Philistims, we should (I say) be senced against all the sweete baites of sinne for a long time afterward; and it were meete, that by such good spirituall refreshing of our soules, we might be the fitter to proceed cheerefully and readily from one dutie to another, at least to be farre from such disguisings, as this of Samsons was. But as the diuell handleth the matter, who slightly and couertly worketh thereby in vs securitie, and a pleasing of our selues in the good that we haue done, we are sometimes easily led to dreame, and imagine, that wee hauing now been well occupied, we may more boldly take our libertie, and by good right remit and slake our care that we had before: to the which wee are all prone by the rebellion of our wicked nature. To be forward any way to sinne after we haue been fleshed on by ill companie, and such like inticements, it is a thing not to be marueiled at: but after we haue been well occupied, and haue done faithfull seruice to God, then to break out amisse, and to go (like Cain and Iudas) out of Gods presence, as it were into the diuels shop forthwith, about his worke and busines, this (I say) would not easily be thought, that wee might be brought vnto. But yet through wilfull ignorance, that wee will know no better, neither will see, when yet wee doe, or through sloth, pride, loosenes and securitie bearing sway in vs, wee may possibly bee misled, yea and that easily and full soone, after this manner, as I haue said. The vse of this is, to reproue them who will say: What? must wee euer be in seruing of God? The which speech how vnsauourie it is, and vnbeseeming professors of the Gospell, all may see, who know, that the seruice of God is perfect freedome: and they shall see also, when for the neglecting of it, they haue well smarted.