A10933:364
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.
By this which we have heard of the punishment of this people, it appears 1that they had load enough upon them, as one would think, and yet, as though there had not bin enough said of the hand of God against them, the holy Ghost addeth here, that whithersoever they went forth, the hand of the Lord was against them; as if it should be said, whatsoever they took in hand or went about, it prospered not, but they were crossed therein; whereas of the godly, we read in the first Psalm, the contrary to be said and set down. 2The like is spoken by the Prophet Azaria to the people of Judah, in the second book of Chronicles. This though it be not seen of many, nor marked of 3the disobedient, and therefore not complained of, yet their misery therefore is the greater, seeing they go on brutishly, as the fool to the stocks, and the ox to the slaughter, till a dart pierce through their liver. But some feel and perceive 4it, when God being angry with them, his hand is against them, as experience witnesseth (though he deal not now so much nor apparently against his enemies in bodily as spiritual plagues) for do not many laden with sorrow and misery cry out, that God fighteth against them, though there be no outward punishments to be seen upon them? and that they neither prosper nor enjoy any inward peace, but are wearisome to themselves, cursing their lot, and wishing themselves out of the world; nay laying violent hands upon themselves, for very anguish of heart and madness: thinking (falsely) so to escape their misery. And how heavy a thing is that, (think we) especially when they know not how to remedy it? And as it is thus with them, even so Gods hand is ever with his faithful servants in all their ways which God hath set them in. They are like the tree planted by the rivers 5of waters, that bringeth forth fruit in due season: and whatsoever they do it shall prosper. Indeed this is the less seen to be, because they find it so hard a thing for them, in the middest of so many discouragements, to continue in their uprightness as we may see who mark it; but they are oft unsettled and broken off by the burden of the flesh from their innocency, or else are forced with much ado to recover themselves being fallen, and are in great heaviness thereby.