A10933:291
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.
And by this we may see, that we were not best to trust to our own imaginations, nor to follow our own ways: neither to deal as Adam, to excuse 1our selves; nor to be like to them in the Gospel, who when they were bidden to the marriage, sent their answer as it pleased them, but so as it little became them; for thereby we wade but the deeper into danger, and ⟨p. 99⟩2bear away more blows, as it may be said of them that strive against his 3chastisements. For every tongue that shall contend with him in judgement he shall condemn. And this we may see if we list, in that fearful example of him that hid his talent in the earth, which he was commanded to put to use, and occupy it. He thought he had reason enough to say for his defence, that he knew him to be an hard man of whom he received it; and therefore would be sure to return him his own again. But what answer heard he? even this, Take the unprofitable servant and cast him into utter darkness, 4there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Therefore we see by this, as also by our text, in that the people had nothing to answer, when a reason was demanded of them why they had done so; that when men have followed their own swing, in sinning as they have desired, they shall never be able to answer any thing in their own defence soundly, nor justly; but to the further increase of their sin, as I have said already, but shall be tongue tied: whereupon it followeth, that which I have proved, that the Lord hath so good right when he dealeth against sinners, that entering into judgement with them, he feareth not to give them all vantages that they think will serve their turns: but in the end they shall see that they do but make themselves thereby the more guilty. For by these means in giving this people liberty to answer what they could, their sin was the more aggravated against them, they having not so much as any colour to defend themselves. And this being so, let us learn hereby not to yield only by silence, but to be humbled also and relent; and proceed on to true repentance: yea, let us beware that we have no controversies with the Lord, by being bold to offend and provoke him; thinking (though foolishly and falsely) to make a good end: for be we sure we shall never make our part good against him: neither let us sin in hope;