A10933:361
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 the same doctrine that I have taught of the spoiling of mens goods, that it is a fruit of the wrath of God for their sin, (this being excepted, that the Lord may impoverish his people (who fear him) in favour and mercy) The same I may as fitly and truly say of the bringing or them into servitude and bondage unto vile and cruel persons: but let the one be understood by the other, seeing I speak of this in another place. But I will further observe 1another thing here, that seeing it is said that they were led into bondage after they were spoiled of their goods, and so smarted by both, we may note how God so dealeth with the disobedient out times, even as he did here with these, that as their sins go not alone, so neither do their punishments. So that God dealeth with such as offend him not one way, but many; as he did punish Achan, both with shame, and with pain: so Pharaoh was visited with terrors, and with bodily plagues also: even so now many are 2pursued with crosses in their goods, reproach in their name, and in their body with pain and diseases. And this he doth, that men may know they shall pay dear for their stolen pleasures, how sweet soever they be to them in their fond account, and that so both together may hold them back from provoking him. For as Isaiah saith, one judgement shall not serve the turn, if 3men struggle and fight against it, and stand out with God, when he smiteth gently, his hand will be stretched out still; and look what the former hath not done, the latter shall make good. As we read in Joel, that fruit which one plague consumed not, another did, till an utter riddance follow of all. But men bite upon the bridle, and curse their luck, but look not into themselves: so when God strippeth men of their goods, and then casteth them into bondage, as he did deal with them here; or when he doth the like to us, that one judgement come in the neck of another to us, I think it may be said truly without respect of damnation, that we have paid dear for stolen pleasures, and our bold taking of our liberties amiss. And seeing I have not spoken particularly of going into servitude, and our nation hath not known what it meaneth, nor how sharp a scourge it is; yet seeing many fall into it by Turk and Spaniard, who have little feared it; therefore I wish them to read of it in Deuteronomy: