A10933:2070
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.
Therefore great is the love of God to that man, who not having at first prevented the beginnings of sin, but been overtaken with the deceitfulness of it at the first view, yet upon more advised consideration of the danger which it leadeth unto, shall awake and rouse up himself, and fly from it as from a serpent.
Therefore great is the loue of God to that man, who not hauing at first preuented the beginnings of sinne, but been ouertaken with the deceitfulnes of it at the first view, yet vpon more aduised consideration of the danger which it leadeth vnto, shall awake and rouse vp himselfe, and flie from it as from a serpent.
And for his shifting her off with a lye, as though he would both satisfy 1her, and yet keep himself in safety, by not bewraying the secret; his wisdom and commendation was alike in both. For as he dealt foolishly in answering her at all, so did he as ill in looking to stop her mouth with a lye. Which forewarneth us, not to shift for our selves, nor look to make our part good by lying, though the way lie open thereto, and is then too ready at hand, when we see no other way; which sin in all kinds thereof is condemned, howsoever little account be made of it. And the rather it is to be taken heed of, seeing we oft times run headlong into it, (as I have said) when we see no readier way to shift for our selves, and (as we think) to save our credit, and avoid greater danger. And seeing there was no other to be looked for, then that Samson (being in the case he was at this present) should provide for his own safety by a lye, (a poor shield for him, whose innocency and watchfulness should have been his defence) let us beware of entering acquaintance with any sin, for it will be costly in the maintaining, and draw a man by a wretched necessity to add thereto many other sins: even as Samson must seek covert and safeguard to himself by a lye (for want of better) except at first dash he would have gone through stitch, and have told her the matter. Touching his dallying humour, and his playing wily beguily with her, as if he had had wisdom and skill enough to shift her off with trifling answers, if the hardest should come; although it savoured somewhat of confidence and conceitedness of his supposed strength, (much like Peters rashness, when he was told by his Master that he should deny him)