A10933:2133
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 86 › Part 16 › Part 3: The third 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.
And first, in that God thus gave Samson up into the hands of his enemies, 1and punished him as we see, it was just that the Lord did to him, (be so provoking him as he did) by the uncircumcised Philistines; by this (I say) we learn, that if need be, and if they break out boldly against him, he must ⟨p. 764⟩make his own dear children to smart, as well as he loveth them, as the Apostle Peter speaketh. For as he brought them into the hands of his enemies, 2as is here to be seen, even so he useth to do to other of his; when there is cause, and he seeth it meet. The reason is, to the end they may rise up again out of their falls, and repent: for the working of the which, affliction (through Gods blessing) fitteth them rather then prosperity (which they are so ready to abuse,) as presently shall appear in this story; and in the mean while the wicked, going on in their sins, are the readier for judgement, which one time or other meeteth with them, and taketh hold of them. And if he should not thus take down the pride and boldness of his in tempting him, they could not be brought to good. This being known to be so, there is no cause why we should discontentedly bear our afflictions, especially we our selves having given just cause thereof. And as for them that rejoice in our troubles, or (which is more) do themselves trouble us: I say no more but this, that except they repent, and so become true worshippers of God with us, the Lord shall trouble and vex every vain in their hearts, so far their troubles shall exceed and go beyond ours: as God threateneth in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians, and we may see in the calamities of Dives, 3and especially if they be compared with Lazarus his comforts. But before I come to lay out his troubles in particular, let us see this one thing which is not to be omitted, which is this: In Samsons punishment we may discern a more evident proof of Gods just and equal proceeding to revenge, then in every relapse mentioned in Scripture, (which I note that we may be the more afraid to tempt him:) For as we see Samsons disease was very gross and grievous, and his sin began to be seated and habited in him: he had scaped once before, when the Philistines laid wait for him at Azza, verse 2. and 3. and then God spared him, and gave him a safe conduct, putting him to further proof.