A10933:416
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.
Sermon 18 › Chapter 3 › Part 3: The second part of the Chapter.
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.
Now then the case standing thus, and we knowing how unwelcome and wearisome his punishments are; we see what we have to do; that is to say, to beware that we provoke not God, by following the devices and desires of our wicked hearts, and so grow hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Oh therefore that we should be so bold and ready to offend, who yet blank so soon, and are so sore dismayed, yea when there shall but some small correction be laid upon us! Oh that neither examples of other, nor our 1own experience can make us wise to prevent and avoid so many and great judgements, as are drawn upon us daily by needless folly, or wilful offending! And secondly, if we have already fallen, what should be more looked after, then speedily to remember from whence we be fallen, and to cast up our gorge, and repent, lest the Lord come upon us unprovided. And as for such as at the hearing of this dare object again, that they believe that no such thing shall befall them: for they have (they say) done as much as I speak of, and yet they are safe to this hour, and have escaped punishment: I say of them, what have I to do with them? I tremble to hear of their brutish and bold insensibleness. They are as one asleep in the mast of a ship in great danger, but they fear nothing: and as one near death by sickness, but being senseless, feeleth no pain; and as Naball a gross sinner, but regarded nothing that was said to him, till he knew he must die, and then he was as a stone or or block, only breathing. The punishment of such as boast, that they are safe for all their sinning, and have escaped all danger, punishment, (although it be not seen of many, nor of themselves) is yet far more grievous then if it were seen with eyes, that it is the spirit of slumber, or an hardened heart, which is of all other the greatest punishment.
Now then the case standing thus, and wee knowing how vnwelcome and wearisome his punishments are; we see what we haue to doe; that is to say, to beware that wee prouoke not God, by following the deuices and desires of our wicked hearts, and so grow hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne. Oh therefore that wee should be so bold and ready to offend, who yet blanke so soone, and are so sore dismaid, yea when there shall but some small correction be laid vpon vs! Oh that neither examples of other, nor our 1owne experience can make vs wise to preuent and auoid so many and great iudgements, as are drawne vpon vs daily by needlesse follie, or wilfull offending! And secondly, if we haue already falen, what should bee more looked after, then speedily to remember from whence we bee fallen, and to cast vp our gorge, and repent, lest the Lord come vpon vs vnprouided. And as for such as at the hearing of this dare obiect againe, that they beleeue that no such thing shall befall them: for they haue (they say) done as much as I speake of, and yet they are safe to this houre, and haue escaped punishment: I say of them, what haue I to doe with them? I tremble to heare of their brutish and bold insenciblenesse. They are as one asleepe in the mast of a ship in great danger, but they feare nothing: and as one neare death by sicknesse, but being senselesse, feeleth no paine; and as Naball a grosse sinner, but regarded nothing that was said to him, till he knew he must die, and then he was as a stone or or blocke, onely breathing. The punishment of such as boast, that they are safe for all their sinning, and haue escaped all danger, punishment, (although it be not seene of many, nor of themselues) is yet far more grieuous then if it were seene with eyes, that it is the spirit of slumber, or an hardened heart, which is of all other the greatest punishment.