A10933:2069
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.
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.
So if any of us have made vagaries and outstrayings, yea though not so grossly as Samson did, neither in fellowship with lewd women, (which were horrible) but if it be but in fond and filthy lingering after them, and their whorish company, when our consciences shall accuse us for so doing, 1and warn us to desist and break off betimes, from such longing and lingering after them, as they who have nothing to do with them, and when withal we set before our eyes the shame and sorrow that will fall on us by that which we long for, and hast after: then (I say) let us think, it is high time for us (if we have unhappily gone so far) to break the brood, and scatter the mists of such idle and filthy thoughts and wicked lusts, and with astonishment ask of our selves, what have we done? and by the help of our faithful and fervent prayers to throw them all in the dust, and not with Samson to dally with them, as he did with his Delilah, but mark and think seriously upon the end thereof. And so doing, we shall to some purpose make our benefit of this example of Samson: otherwise we may with the common sort wonder at, and condemn his folly, and our selves play the fools in the like or a worse kind. It is not strange, that he who purposely had prostituted himself to the will of an harlot, and was now in the pursuit ⟨p. 741⟩of his lust, could not then break the bands of his sinful desire, when it had snared him: for the time of preventing this mischief was, when he was first enticed: now the matter was gone so far that being under feet, he had small list or strength to rise up, and call himself to a serious remembrance 2of his offence. And Delilahs lap and arms was no fit nor likely place or occasion of such thoughts or meditations: wisdom was driven out of his breast by corrupt affection: the blow was smarty enough, but he had lost his feeling. So that there is no more miserable a sight, then to behold a man when he is entangled with the snare of his own lust, or any sin that wasteth the conscience, for then is he shiftless, and cannot help himself, but is ready to bear any burden which shall be laid upon his shoulders, rather then to rise up from under it.
So if any of vs haue made vagaries and outstrayings, yea though not so grossely as Samson did, neither in fellowship with lewd women, (which were horrible) but if it be but in fond and filthie lingering after them, and their whorish companie, when our consciences shall accuse vs for so doing,