A10933:2113
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.
The next thing that followed was this, that she caused one to cut off his locks, that is, the hair that covered his head. And this is the deadly wound that she gave him. For therewith his strength failed him, and grace likewise forsook him.
The next thing that followed was this, that shee caused one to cut off his locks, that is, the haire that couered his head. And this is the deadly wound that she gaue him. For therewith his strength failed him, and grace likewise forsooke him.
Here we may see, that by degrees a man shall be brought to the lowest ebb and depth of sin, as Samson now was, he broke the law of the Nazarite, 1which was solemn, as the law of wedlock betwixt couples; and thereby made himself profane and loose, who had lived in the most holy estate of other. Yea this sin, if comparison should be made, was far greater then the breach of the law of wedlock, seeing that is but one particular, but this is a general setting open the door to many sins. Oh, how little thought he, or think we, that we shall ever commit them, before we begin to tamper with odious and fearful sins? (as Hazael, when the Prophet told 2him the evil that he should do, answered, Am I a dog, that I should do this great thing? Yea and after we have begun also to dally with the means that lead to them, we yet think to keep far enough from them. But yet we see here what followeth in the end. But wherein this abasement stood shall appear in the particulars that follow, the loss of strength, and Gods presence, when his locks were cut off. For the former of these, it is said, after this, that his strength failed, and was gone. And hereupon some may object and say, Did his strength lie in his hair? I answer no: but he lost that, because it was the commandment of God to the Nazarite, (such an one as Samson was,) that no razor for the time, should come upon his head. Which commandment Samson now brake, by telling her so much, as caused the cutting off of it: and by that he going from Gods ordinance, the Lord departed from him, and left him to himself, which he found to be weakness, and therewith woe enough. The objection being thus answered, this teacheth what followeth such outrage, and contempt of Gods ordinance, to wit, the losing of such good things as we enjoyed before. So that such actions