A10933:2160
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.
Here we see the unnatural cruelty of the Philistines, who could not be satisfied with all wrongs offered to Samson, but they must make him a laughing stock, and load him with taunts and reproaches also. Which though it be a vice so foul, as by the light of nature some Heathens abhorred it, I mean to show immanity to the miserable; yet it is of that sort of vices as might easily prevail with such as put out this light by brutish passion, and impiety. As appears by the monstrous cruelty of the Romans, who used to behold with great pleasure, the single combats of malefactors condemned, and their Sword-players shedding each others blood. Therefore it is the less to be marvelled at in the Heathens: but by occasion of it, let us 1know who are Christians, that it is to be reckoned among us as a most cruel thing to add affliction to the afflicted: And when punishment is inflicted, that is itself answerable fully to the trespass, yet for all that, to be insatiable in the desire of revenge. A fearful example is that of the Priests against our Saviour, whom when they should have highly honoured for the great works that he did among them, not only preferred a murderer before him, and unjustly got liberty of Pilate to crucify him, being Lord of glory, but 2also railed and spitted on him, and most shamefully reviled and mocked him in the middest of his agonies: and indeed herein they resemble their father the devil, who then most insulteth when he hath a man under: but the Lord is alway nearest to his, as he was to Jonah, in their extremities.3
Here we see the vnnaturall crueltie of the Philistims, who could not bee satisfied with all wrongs offred to Samson, but they must make him a laughing stocke, and loade him with taunts and reproches also. Which though it be a vice so foule, as by the light of nature some Heathens abhorred it, I meane to shew immanitie to the miserable; yet it is of that sort of vices as might easily preuaile with such as put out this light by brutish passion, and impietie. As appeares by the monstrous crueltie of the Romans, who vsed to behold with great pleasure, the single combats of malefactors condemned, and their Sword-players shedding each others blood. Therefore it is the lesse to bee maruelled at in the Heathens: but by occasion of it, let vs