A10933:2147
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.
In him therefore, as in a glass, we may see the unspeakable mercy of God, 1to great sinners: for who in all likelihood would have said that he should have come to repentance, whom we have heard to have so odiously, so long, and so many ways gone from God, and to have followed his own 2wicked lusts? But he being one of Gods elect, it was impossible that he should perish, though he must needs sustain much woe in this present world, even as we have heard he did. Which also is to be said of David, Solomon and Jonah, with other. And as such an one is to be pitied much, whom God hath called and reclaimed from his old bad course to faith and amendment of life, when we see him afterward to wallow in the filthy mire of his former evil life again; for we know his punishment is like to be most fearful and heavy; so the offending party must know, that such an one should, as Manasseh did by the tribulations that he fell into, be broken hearted and repent, and believe, and should have no peace, until he can do so. And therefore justly are all such to be complained of, who having so 3fair warnings from God when they have fallen, are not for all that brought home again, and humbled. So then, the consideration of this point ought little to nourish the conceit of presuming to offend God upon hope of impunity. They that plead this, and the like example of Samson, David, Solomon, and others such, do show that they sin with boldness, and presumptuously bear themselves up in hope of forgiveness, because those forementioned servants of God obtained it, who sinned not of presumption as these do, who reason thus, neither do they know therefore that they shall find the like mercy in their need. For how monstrous and irregular a conclusion is it, for him whom the love of God should keep from sinning, to presume to sin, because God loveth him, and will never damp him? Thou that makest such conclusions, fear that mercy belongs not unto thee. But know it for certain, though thou hast thought thy self sure of salvation, having ⟨p. 771⟩sought after it, and hast begun to reform thy self, yet if thou degenerate and offend wilfully, (for thy unavoidable errors and weaknesses I speak not of) the Lord shall fill thy life, thy soul, and conscience, with such perplexity and distress, that thou shalt never enjoy good day after thy satisfying of thy rebellious will: