A10933:2152
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 go forward with Samson: it is to be considered in this verse (it having been proved that he repented) in what place and estate he was in, when God brought him back to repentance. And that was, in the irksome prison; when he was blind, and laden with pain, and sorrow enough. But oh will some say, what encouragement could he have to mind repentance, in that loathsome place, and irksome condition, where rather all was against him, that might have been an help thereto? Indeed I confess that his so coming home to God in humbling himself, and looking for mercy in that uncomfortable estate that he was in, is a thing almost as admirable even as his fall was, and the depth of 1misery that he fell into.
NOw to goe forward with Samson: it is to bee considered in this verse (it hauing been proued that hee repented) in what place and estate hee was in, when God brought him backe to repentance. And that was, in the irkesome prison; when he was blind, and loden with paine, and sorrow enough. But oh will some say, what encouragement could hee haue to minde repentance, in that loathsome place, and irkesome condition, where rather all was against him, that might haue been an helpe therto? Indeed I confesse that his so comming home to God in humbling himselfe, and looking for mercy in that vncomfortable estate that hee was in, is a thing almost as admirable euen as his fall was, and the depth of 1misery that he fell into.
- 1Note.
But by this and other such examples, we see how God doth oft work, as before we heard he went about to do in him, that he worketh (I say) that 1grace in a man, while he is in misery, which in prosperity is rarely seen and found to be in him: as I have occasion to say oft: And it is the more worthy our noting, seeing he dealeth not so with all in their trouble, nay it is rare to behold, and the case but of few. For the most are carried to impatience and cursing, when they feel Gods heavy hand upon them, and to bitterness, against God himself, for his so handling them; never looking to their own deserts, for so there were hope that they might be easily brought to confess that God did all justly, yea and showed mercy also in justly punishing them. And thus he dealeth with men that are brought to good by trouble, I mean he bringeth them to a due and through consideration of their vileness and provoking of him, that they are glad to seek reconciliation with him: even thus, I say, he draweth and persuadeth them to take up their thoughts, for their exceeding benefit, when he meaneth that they shall take good by their affliction.