A10933:381
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.
But to pass to the next verse. I having spoken of the revolt of this people 1in the former verse, (beside the direction which by occasion I set down there,) the holy story goeth on here to show what the Lord did to this people thus turning from their good beginnings, after the death of the Judge; He was sore displeased with them, and his anger was kindled against them. Here to say the same that I did there of Gods anger, were but a needless thing. That which I note of it here, is this; that as before hath been 2seen, so through the whole book it appeareth, that it is usual with the Lord to do thus; namely, when men sin, to be angry; that is, to do as men will, when they be angry: for otherwise we have heard that neither anger, repenting, nor any such affection, or change is in the Lord. And is it not meet that God should thus deal with us think we, when we are so ready by every occasion to provoke him? For if this held us not in awe, we should, even we who are his own oft times break out as the common sort do (the flesh being weary of penting in) whereas the love of God (I grant) should be sufficient to constrain us to our duties. And what a thing were it, that God 3should always be angry with a man? doubtless if any one could be persuaded that he were so affected to him, not only his whole life should be in daily and deadly unquietness; but he should also be overwhelmed with the thought of it, and driven to desperation. And yet we may know by that which hath been said, that God hath just cause to do no less, but to let his anger burn as fire against such as provoke him. But indeed he oft defers the declaration of his wrath, giving men time and liberty thereby to repent, and doth not once show it many times, when he is often provoked. Hereof it is, that when God being justly displeased, and yet men do not in in the mean while repent and turn to him, humbly seeking mercy; that he doth afterward declare by his manifold or sore revenges, that he was long before provoked to anger, and justly offended with them. But this is wisely to be marked of us, that though his own people sin, (as there is none that sinneth not) to wit, by oversight, infirmity, unavoidable ignorance, 4and such like; whereas he doth not by and by, suffer his anger to break forth, the reason is this: