A10933:2104
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.
Now to proceed in the story, because we see how Samson, though otherwise endued of God with singular 1graces, yet was most impotently given over to the love of women, when we do not read, that he was else tainted with other sins; let it admonish us, that we may possibly be more weak in resisting, and more prone to the committing of some one sin, then of another, and it shall not be amiss for us to think, seeing we have so many examples of it in Scripture, that this sin of his is more common among the most then other. The which I say to this end, that every one of us should observe our selves, where we see our selves weakest, and there to use most means to strengthen our selves against the same, as watching, prayer, reading, and this not hoverly but heartily, if we seek to be the better thereby, and in no wise to dare be bold to commit it, seeing we cannot but be as sure of ill success, as Samson was before he did it. When the husband-man surveys his ground, he useth not to fence where the quick set is strong and thick, but where the hedge is thin or trodden down; we love to lay on load where there is no need; but if there be a blemish in our lives which makes all the rest disgraceful, and therefore requireth more labour to blot it out, we cannot abide to set our selves to amend it, nor so much as to take knowledge of it. And yet one dead fly corrupts a whole pot of the sweetest ointment, and the sweeter, the sooner. How did Solomons 2excessiveness in this kind, defame all his other excellency and gifts? And do we not see by experience the truth hereof? He is an honest man (saith one) but a covetous, an hasty, an uncharitable, a breaker of promise, and one or other interposition there is to eclipse his light & credit. Yea and (as Paul in the like kind spake of the house of Chloe) there is cause. Now in this so 3weighty a case what do we? even tush off the matter, and say, One infirmity is none: and we hope that our many good qualities (in our conceit at least) must privilege us, and license us for a few scapes? Alas we err foully, one secret lurking companion is enough to betray the house: and when we are espied, what say men of us but this, Nay, he that will do thus, or thus, will do worse, I dare not trust him in any kind, if occasion serve.
NOw to proceed in the story, because we see how Samson, though otherwise indued of God with singular